Sir Andrew Cubie calls for graduate tax

Calls for the introduction of a graduate tax have been played down by the government and Edinburgh rector Iain Macwhirter, who said it was like "trying to turn back the clock".

Sir Andrew Cubie, chairman of the committee whose report resulted in the scrapping of tuition fees in 2000, has called for a full-scale review of university and student finance in Scotland. He has urged MSPs to consider making students contribute to the cost of their degree with a graduate tax, payable as a proportion of a graduate's future earnings.

The Scottish Government rejected the comments, claiming that a review is premature, and doesn't take into account the recently announced £30 million in student funding.

An SNP education spokesperson said: “We have made clear that access to university should be based on the ability to learn, not the ability to pay.

“We have no plans to re-introduce graduate contributions or tuition fees.”

Sir Andrew made the comments in a recorded video shown at a National Union of Students Scotland reception at Holyrood on Wednesday 4 November.

The government’s view is shared by the Scottish Liberal Democrats, whose spokesperson agreed, "It’s very strange that Sir Andrew should make these comments".

He added: “We were heavily involved in getting rid of tuition fees, and we don’t want to start charging students again. Once you go down that road, you can’t go back.”

Scottish Labour and the Scottish Conservatives have both shown support for Sir Andrew's suggestions.

Without commenting on the graduate tax specifically, Clare Baker MSP, shadow education minister for Labour, said: “I welcome Andrew Cubie's comments and share his goal of improving student support in Scotland.

“We are supporting the calls for a comprehensive review of the student support system and university funding to ensure we have the best funding system for Scotland's students.”

Labour have also expressed doubt over the effectiveness of the government’s impending cash injection.

A spokesperson said: “The £30 million will hardly scratch the surface of the problem. It will benefit the average student by about three pounds per week.”

Murdo Fraser MSP, shadow education secretary for the Scottish Conservatives, welcomes the development.

Mr Fraser said: “No political party in Scotland supports the introduction of top-up tuition fees here. However, if we are not to have top-up fees, then some other source of funding has to be found, and it is probably unrealistic to expect all the additional cash to come from the taxpayer.

“We want an independently chaired review of higher education in Scotland to address a wide range of issues, and specifically look at the funding challenge.”

Edinburgh University Rector Iain Macwhirter has expressed concern over Sir Cubie’s remarks.

Speaking to The Journal, Mr. Macwhirter said: “I deeply regret that Sir Andrew Cubie appears to be campaigning to turn back the clock.

“We are opposed to that, and there is no demand for it from students, parents or teachers.

“The Scottish Government has honoured the commitments it has made to university and student funding. As long as this remains the case, we’re happy.

“Obviously, if the government failed to honour their commitment, then there’d be a problem.”

A graduate tax was considered in England when top-up fees were introduced in 2006, but was rejected.