Commenting on the interim report of the Joint Future Thinking Taskforce on Universities, Liberal Democrat Shadow Education Secretary Jeremy Purvis MSP said:

“We should not forget that this Taskforce was created out of a crisis of funding, which has meant that universities have a real terms cut in funding this year; for the first time since devolution. After wading through the government padding, it is clear that the change to the working relationships within the sector is a continuation of the reforms that Nicol Stephen set in motion during the last administration.

“The major difference is, however, the emasculation of the Scottish Funding Council, which the SNP now sees simply as its delivery arm rather than a respected strategic body. The fact that the Government now wishes to have absolute control over the so-called ‘horizon fund’ for universities is cause for concern. Similarly, the failure even to mention Skills Development Scotland, the new national skills quango or Scotland’s colleges is extremely worrying.

“The combination of funding cuts and the centralisation of government control sit uncomfortably with the language of giving universities greater freedoms. I am wary that this is creeping Government control masked by ministerial spin. The Government needs to be much clearer about this.”