Scottish spend soars

Scottish higher and further education this week won a 33 per cent funding increase as the ruling Executive unveiled spending plans for the next three years.

Andy Kerr, Scotland's Finance Minister, said that higher education funding would exceed £1 billion for the first time in 2007-08, a rise of 17.4 per cent above inflation on 2005 funding levels.

The overall increase includes money to upgrade Scotland's crumbling campuses, with capital spending to rise by £45 million in 2006-07 and by £75 million the year after. Further education will see a 14.8 per cent rise in its funding up to 2008.

John Archer, convener of Universities Scotland, said: "This is a big vote of confidence in our universities, and we are very grateful for it."