Latest news with #ClaireMcPherson
The National
26-05-2025
- Business
- The National
Labour urged to confirm if student tax applies to Scotland
Keir Starmer announced plans to impose a six per cent levy on funds generated for universities by international students amidst his crackdown on immigration, with reports estimating the tax hike could cost Scottish universities £85 million per year if implemented. Scottish universities have been 'left in limbo' regarding the levy, with education being a devolved power but immigration still controlled by Westminster, and further education officials have joined the growing backlash against Labour's proposed immigration reforms. READ MORE: SNP file formal complaint over 'race-baiting' Reform UK ad Claire McPherson, Director of Universities Scotland, said: 'We urge the UK Government to think carefully about the impact that a levy on international student fees will have on universities, and the attractiveness of the UK as a study destination. 'We'd hope to see the UK Government defer a decision on the applicability of any levy in Scotland to the Scottish Government, reflecting the fact that university funding is devolved.' The SNP continues calls for a Scottish Graduate Visa, which would allow international graduates from Scottish universities to work and contribute to the economy for two years whilst working towards a Skilled Worker Visa SNP MSP Bill Kidd said: 'Last week we had the unedifying spectacle of Keir Starmer dancing to Nigel Farage's tune on immigration as he announced plans which are completely out of sync with Scotland's needs and values. 'Labour's damaging migration plans are a direct threat to Scotland's NHS, our economy and our universities. 'The UK Labour Government has already slapped our universities with a £30 million bill with their reckless decision to hike employer National Insurance contributions. 'Our universities have now been left in limbo not knowing if they are faced with a further bill of £85 million directly due to Labour's political choices, whilst they also face the prospect of finding it harder to attract international students. 'Keir Starmer must urgently provide clarity on whether this proposed tax on international students will apply in Scotland, whether he will look again at introducing a Scottish Graduate Visa, and whether he will listen to experts from across various sectors and ditch his damaging anti-immigration agenda.'
The Herald Scotland
15-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Minister pressed on fears over £85million tax bill
'I know in my constituency of Edinburgh West, the wellbeing of our four universities in Edinburgh are vital not just to the economy but to the livelihoods of many of my constituents. 'International students in turn are vital to the wellbeing of those universities, and Universities Scotland say that the measures proposed this week by the Government on immigration could cost universities in Scotland £85 million a year in terms of the levy (as reported in The Herald). READ MORE: Scottish universities face £85m bill from new UK tax on international students Ministers to consider writing off domestic abuse victims' council tax debt Swinney under fire over '£1bn SNP ferry fiasco' as costs and delays mount 'There's a great deal of concern about this, so can the Leader arrange for me to have a meeting with the relevant minister to see how we can address this issue and perhaps reassure our university sector?' Commons Leader Lucy Powell replied: 'Look, it's important to say that international students play a really important part to our country and bring with them skills and make a great contribution to our country. I think that's why (Universities UK) said this week that actually our measures will keep us very competitive in these areas, but I do take on board what she's saying.' Under a proposal unveiled on Monday as part of the UK Government's drive to curb immigration, a new 6% tax would be imposed on universities on their income from foreign students. Calculations by university sources in Scotland based on the number of overseas students at 19 institutions in the sector north of the border during 2023/24 estimated the bill would come to around £85m a year if the tax is introduced north of the Border. The additional potential cost comes on top of existing acute financial challenges and major job losses at a number of Scottish universities. Claire McPherson, Director of Universities Scotland, told The Herald last night the international students tax could exacerbate budget problems in the sector and urged the Prime Minister to reconsider its introduction. 'We urge the UK Government to think carefully about the impact that a levy on international student fees will have on universities and the attractiveness of the UK as a study destination," she said. "Universities' financial and operating environment is already very challenging. We cannot understand the logic behind a levy that would move resource away from universities. It risks making a bad situation worse.' She also called for the UK ministers to allow the Scottish Government to decide whether to introduce the levy. 'Within the UK, we'd hope to see the UK Government defer a decision on the applicability of any levy in Scotland to the Scottish Government, reflecting the fact that university funding is devolved," she said. "We'd then hope that the Scottish Government will see this as an opportunity to differentiate Scotland's higher education sector from the rest of the UK, in terms of strengthening Scotland's appeal when recruiting internationally. That would be one way to create an opportunity for Scotland from amongst a suite of immigration policy measures that Scotland does not otherwise have the powers to control.' Scotland's higher education minister Graeme Dey said he was 'as a matter of urgency" seeking clarity from the UK government on whether "the proposed levy on international students is intended to only apply to universities in England." A UK Government spokesman told The Herald last night: 'We will fully consult all the devolved governments, including the Scottish Government, on the implementation of the international student levy and will be setting out more details around this in the Autumn Budget. 'The analysis we've given so far of the potential impacts is based on the levy applying to English higher education providers only.'
The Herald Scotland
15-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Minister pressed on tax after report in The Herald
'I know in my constituency of Edinburgh West, the wellbeing of our four universities in Edinburgh are vital not just to the economy but to the livelihoods of many of my constituents. 'International students in turn are vital to the wellbeing of those universities, and Universities Scotland say that the measures proposed this week by the Government on immigration could cost universities in Scotland £85 million a year in terms of the levy (as reported in The Herald). READ MORE: Scottish universities face £85m bill from new UK tax on international students Ministers to consider writing off domestic abuse victims' council tax debt Swinney under fire over '£1bn SNP ferry fiasco' as costs and delays mount 'There's a great deal of concern about this, so can the Leader arrange for me to have a meeting with the relevant minister to see how we can address this issue and perhaps reassure our university sector?' Commons Leader Lucy Powell replied: 'Look, it's important to say that international students play a really important part to our country and bring with them skills and make a great contribution to our country. I think that's why (Universities UK) said this week that actually our measures will keep us very competitive in these areas, but I do take on board what she's saying.' Under a proposal unveiled on Monday as part of the UK Government's drive to curb immigration, a new 6% tax would be imposed on universities on their income from foreign students. Calculations by university sources in Scotland based on the number of overseas students at 19 institutions in the sector north of the border during 2023/24 estimated the bill would come to around £85m a year if the tax is introduced north of the Border. The additional potential cost comes on top of existing acute financial challenges and major job losses at a number of Scottish universities. Claire McPherson, Director of Universities Scotland, told The Herald last night the international students tax could exacerbate budget problems in the sector and urged the Prime Minister to reconsider its introduction. 'We urge the UK Government to think carefully about the impact that a levy on international student fees will have on universities and the attractiveness of the UK as a study destination," she said. "Universities' financial and operating environment is already very challenging. We cannot understand the logic behind a levy that would move resource away from universities. It risks making a bad situation worse.' She also called for the UK ministers to allow the Scottish Government to decide whether to introduce the levy. 'Within the UK, we'd hope to see the UK Government defer a decision on the applicability of any levy in Scotland to the Scottish Government, reflecting the fact that university funding is devolved," she said. "We'd then hope that the Scottish Government will see this as an opportunity to differentiate Scotland's higher education sector from the rest of the UK, in terms of strengthening Scotland's appeal when recruiting internationally. That would be one way to create an opportunity for Scotland from amongst a suite of immigration policy measures that Scotland does not otherwise have the powers to control.' Scotland's higher education minister Graeme Dey said he was 'as a matter of urgency" seeking clarity from the UK government on whether "the proposed levy on international students is intended to only apply to universities in England." A UK Government spokesman told The Herald last night: 'We will fully consult all the devolved governments, including the Scottish Government, on the implementation of the international student levy and will be setting out more details around this in the Autumn Budget. 'The analysis we've given so far of the potential impacts is based on the levy applying to English higher education providers only.'
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Scottish universities warn they are ‘dangerously reliant' on foreign students fees
Scotland's universities have warned they are 'dangerously reliant' on income from foreign students to survive after the total fell by more than 10,000 last year. Official figures disclosed overseas student numbers have dipped from an all-time high of 83,975 in 2022/23 to 73,915 last year - a drop of nearly 12 per cent. The sharpest fall occurred at post graduate level for masters courses, with an average drop of 25.7 per cent between 2022/23 and 2023/24. International undergraduate numbers fell by 3.8 per cent and the average fall across all levels of study was 20 per cent. Universities Scotland, a representative body, estimated this had cost the higher education sector £150 million and institutions were 'in a hugely exposed position'. Its director, Claire McPherson, highlighted 'chronic underfunding' over the past decade. The Scottish Government pays universities £1,820 for each Scottish student to cover the 'free' tuition each year but institutions have warned this does not nearly cover the cost of providing courses. Scotland's universities have been keen to recruit international students to help plug the financial black hole, as they charge them up to £40,000 per year in fees. However, the new figures showed the number of European Union students in Scotland fell by half as Britain left the organisation in 2020 and it has continued to fall in the current figures, down to 10,430. The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) statistics showed students from India fell from 12,235 to 9,950 and Nigerian students dropped from 9,415 to 5,985. The figures were published after a series of Scotland's most eminent higher educational institutions warned of cuts, with Edinburgh University stating it needs to make urgent savings to plug a £140 million budget gap. First Minister John Swinney has promised to 'engage constructively in discussions about university finances' but has continued to back providing free university tuition, even to those families who can afford to pay for it. Ms McPherson said: 'It is both the scale and the suddenness of the fall that has been incredibly challenging for many institutions to manage. 'Scotland's model of funding Scottish students and university research has become dangerously reliant on cross-subsidy from international students over the last decade because of chronic underfunding. 'That puts institutions in a hugely exposed position, as today's official statistics show for the sector, and for some institutions more acutely than others.' She highlighted evidence given to a Holyrood inquiry earlier this week by John-Paul Marks, the Scottish Government's permanent secretary, in which he confirmed that university finances had been given a 'high' rating on the official risk register. In a direct challenge to Mr Swinney, Ms McPherson added: 'There is a very pressing need for a different kind of strategic conversation with the Scottish Government about short-term stability and long-term solutions for the sustainability of our universities.' The figures showed Dundee University, which is dealing with a £35 million budget black hole, saw its foreign student numbers reduce 27 per cent in one year, from 4,570 to 3,335. The University of Glasgow's foreign student population fell from 15,200 to 12,935 while Edinburgh University saw overseas students rise from 16,625 to 17,020. Robert Gordon University saw the biggest dip of any institution in the country, nearly halving its overseas student numbers to just 2,365. Graeme Dey, the SNP Higher Education Minister, said: 'We recognise the issues raised by the sector around a decline in international student numbers and damaging UK migration policies which is why we have proposed a 'Scottish Graduate Visa' which would allow us to retain international students after they graduate from Scottish institutions.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
20-03-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Scottish universities warn they are ‘dangerously reliant' on foreign students fees
Scotland's universities have warned they are 'dangerously reliant' on income from foreign students to survive after the total fell by more than 10,000 last year. Official figures disclosed overseas student numbers have dipped from an all-time high of 83,975 in 2022/23 to 73,915 last year - a drop of nearly 12 per cent. The sharpest fall occurred at post graduate level for masters courses, with an average drop of 25.7 per cent between 2022/23 and 2023/24. International undergraduate numbers fell by 3.8 per cent and the average fall across all levels of study was 20 per cent. Universities Scotland, a representative body, estimated this had cost the higher education sector £150 million and institutions were 'in a hugely exposed position'. Its director, Claire McPherson, highlighted 'chronic underfunding' over the past decade. The Scottish Government pays universities £1,820 for each Scottish student to cover the 'free' tuition each year but institutions have warned this does not nearly cover the cost of providing courses. Scotland's universities have been keen to recruit international students to help plug the financial black hole, as they charge them up to £40,000 per year in fees. However, the new figures showed the number of European Union students in Scotland fell by half as Britain left the organisation in 2020 and it has continued to fall in the current figures, down to 10,430. The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) statistics showed students from India fell from 12,235 to 9,950 and Nigerian students dropped from 9,415 to 5,985. The figures were published after a series of Scotland's most eminent higher educational institutions warned of cuts, with Edinburgh University stating it needs to make urgent savings to plug a £140 million budget gap. First Minister John Swinney has promised to 'engage constructively in discussions about university finances' but has continued to back providing free university tuition, even to those families who can afford to pay for it. 'Hugely exposed' Ms McPherson said: 'It is both the scale and the suddenness of the fall that has been incredibly challenging for many institutions to manage. 'Scotland's model of funding Scottish students and university research has become dangerously reliant on cross-subsidy from international students over the last decade because of chronic underfunding. 'That puts institutions in a hugely exposed position, as today's official statistics show for the sector, and for some institutions more acutely than others.' She highlighted evidence given to a Holyrood inquiry earlier this week by John-Paul Marks, the Scottish Government's permanent secretary, in which he confirmed that university finances had been given a 'high' rating on the official risk register. In a direct challenge to Mr Swinney, Ms McPherson added: 'There is a very pressing need for a different kind of strategic conversation with the Scottish Government about short-term stability and long-term solutions for the sustainability of our universities.' The figures showed Dundee University, which is dealing with a £35 million budget black hole, saw its foreign student numbers reduce 27 per cent in one year, from 4,570 to 3,335. The University of Glasgow's foreign student population fell from 15,200 to 12,935 while Edinburgh University saw overseas students rise from 16,625 to 17,020. Robert Gordon University saw the biggest dip of any institution in the country, nearly halving its overseas student numbers to just 2,365. Graeme Dey, the SNP Higher Education Minister, said: 'We recognise the issues raised by the sector around a decline in international student numbers and damaging UK migration policies which is why we have proposed a 'Scottish Graduate Visa' which would allow us to retain international students after they graduate from Scottish institutions.'
