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The Scottish Government has today (28 January) announced its draft budget for 2021-22. This year’s budget is set against the backdrop of the most challenging times in living memory. The global COVID-19 pandemic has had and continues to have an unprecedented impact on our economy and on our education and skills system.

In recognition of the vital role that our colleges and universities play and will continue to play in Scotland’s economic recovery and wellbeing, Ministers have increased funding for both sectors as follows:

  • The total net resource and capital budget for colleges (excluding NPD) increases by £33.7m, an increase of 4.8%.
  • The total net resource and capital budget for universities increases by £29.6m, an increase of 2.7%.

The uplifts support sustainability of the sector and help mitigate against the effects of the pandemic, recognising the disruption to learning and teaching due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Welcoming today’s budget, Karen Watt, Chief Executive of the Scottish Funding Council said:

“In a tight public sector funding environment, the Scottish Funding Council welcomes today’s budget announcement which underlines the Scottish Government’s commitment to our colleges and universities in particularly challenging times and recognises the important role they play in supporting Scotland’s economic recovery and wellbeing.”

The full budget statement can be found on the Scottish Government website.

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