NICOLA Sturgeon will today underline the SNP’s commitment to supporting students through the pandemic and into the recovery – by driving forward the Widening Access agenda and expanding student support.
Campaigning in Edinburgh today and ahead of an NUS Scotland online debate this evening, the SNP leader will confirm key commitments for students that a re-elected SNP government will take forward, including:
- Protecting free tuition and maintaining the Education Maintenance Allowance
- Implementing the recommendations of the Commissioner for Widening Access, including a review of funding for post-graduate students
- Expanding student support over the next three years to reach the equivalent of the Real Living Wage – with as much as possible being done through grants
- A student mental health action plan – including action to tackle waiting times and ensure equity of access
- Within the constraints of the devolved settlement, fighting for a fairer deal for young workers against exploitative zero-hours contracts, unpaid internships and workplace discrimination
- Advocating for Scotland’s inclusion in Erasmus+ – but also create a Scottish programme of exchange to provide mobility and co-operation opportunities in higher education, vocational education and training, adult education, youth and sport
Sturgeon is expected to say: “During this pandemic, students have had to cope with many challenges previous generations could never have envisaged. I promise the young people of Scotland that I will do everything I possibly can to make sure you do not carry the legacy of this pandemic into your adult lives.
"By giving both votes to the SNP, students can elect a government absolutely committed to supporting students through uncertain times – and to maintaining an education system which is based on the ability to learn, and not the ability to pay.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here