An SNP MSP has hailed news that a record number of students from the most deprived areas in Scotland have secured a place at university as “excellent progress” in widening access to higher education – and that only the SNP are committed to the free tuition fees which have made this progress possible.
UCAS figures show that a record 31,220 Scottish students have secured university places, including a record 5,080 students from the 20% most deprived areas of Scotland.
Collette Stevenson, MSP for East Kilbride, said that the excellent progress in widening access to higher education has only been made possible by the SNP’s continued commitment to free tuition fees which neither Labour nor the Tories have committed to continue.
Collette Stevenson MSP said:
“The record number of students being accepted for university and particularly the rise in students from are most disadvantaged communities shows the excellent progress we are making in widening access to higher education.
“This progress has only been made possible due to our continued commitment to free tuition fees which would be put at risk by both Labour and the Tories who have repeatedly failed to pledge continued support.
“Indeed Anas Sarwar’s own finance spokesperson said earlier this year that his party is examining models to reintroduce charging.
“The SNP will always be committed to ensuring that access to university will always be based on the ability to learn and not the ability to pay and that the opportunity of a university education is available to everyone.”
