Shefc celebrates funding boost

Scottish finance minister Jack McConnell has increased the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council's budget from Pounds 609.4 million in 2000-01 to Pounds 697.6 million in 2003-04 - an increase in real-terms from Pounds 596 million to Pounds 633.5 million. The Scottish Further Education Funding Council, will also receive an increase, to Pounds 436.3 million in 2003-04 compared with Pounds 358.1 million this year, while the Student Awards Agency for Scotland's budget will increase from Pounds 392.4 million to Pounds 461.5 million.