Professor Pete Downes, Principal of Dundee University, has said that higher education will need more money than the next Scottish Government can afford and that a graduate contribution would be a fair solution.
Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland, Professor Downes said: "Undergraduate education is not a universal benefit – it's a benefit to about 45 per cent of the school-leaving population.
"But the other areas of the public purse, like the National Health Service, school education and councils, are universal benefits, they benefit everybody irrespective of whether they go to university.
"So that's why I think graduates contributing in some way would be fair."
Liz Smith, Scottish Conservative Education Spokesperson, said:
“This is a very welcome intervention from another expert in the field. It is yet another warning that there is a large and serious funding gap that, so far, only the Scottish Conservatives have faced up to.
“Regardless of what the other parties are trying to make voters believe, the funding gap facing higher education in Scotland is not bridgeable unless a graduate contribution is introduced. Their figures are unbelievable and would lead to a huge black hole in higher education funding.
“In these situations we need honesty and the challenge to other parties is to tell us how many students would lose a place at university because of their plans. That is the cut we are fighting against, as figures we produced last weekend showed the number could be as high as 13,000.
“The Scottish Conservatives would do this as we think it is only right that those graduates who can afford to pay their fair share do so, rather than burden other taxpayers with the responsibility of paying for it. This will make university funding more sustainable and progressive. It will enable us to introduce a system of enhanced bursary support for those students most in need.
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Meanwhile in Glasgow, Scottish Conservative leader, Annabel Goldie pledged to increase funding for Scotland's health visitors by £20 million. Speaking in Glasgow yesterday the Scottish Conservative Leader, said: “Six years ago there were nearly 1,500 health visitors in Scotland. Now there are marginally over 1,200. “Health visitors are the vital point of contact with parents and young families, in the community, in their homes, speaking to mum and dad, giving reassurance, help and advice, and often spotting problems before they develop. “It is common sense to provide better support for new parents through a massive increase in home health visiting services and that is why Scottish Conservatives have pledged to direct £20 million from the health budget towards providing that support.” Dr Georgina Brown of Springburn Health Centre has endorsed the plan, hailing health visitors as 'vital' for thousands of local families. "I welcome Conservative plans for more Health Visitors," said Dr Brown, "In my years as a GP in Springburn, I've seen Health Visitors play a vital role for thousands of local families who need that that extra support. “Health Visitors are absolutely vital in early detection of problems and help GPs ensure our young people are given the best start in life. I hope this plan for more Health Visitors, for every child up to the age of 5 gets the backing it deserves in the next parliament.”Want to discuss other issues? Join the debate on our new Scottish Voices forum
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