The Scottish Government

This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007

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Proposal to merge funding councils

30/04/2004

A consultation is to begin on establishing a single funding body for colleges and higher education institutions.

The new body would involve the merger of the Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Councils.

Lifelong Learning Minister Jim Wallace said:

"The identity and legal status of our world class universities and colleges

will not change. The new body will provide a more integrated view of the use of the public funds invested in lifelong learning, while guaranteeing maximum autonomy of individual institutions.

"The proposed merger of the funding councils was a Partnership Agreement pledge. It was also recommended by a Parliamentary Committee in the last Parliament. In effect we are proposing to merge two quangos into one - cutting bureaucracy. The institutional status of Scottish universities and colleges will not change at all.

"It will enable a better strategic overview of the tertiary education sector. There are no plans to merge universities and colleges and to suggest so is irresponsible.

"This is not the first round of consultation on our proposals. The Executive have already consulted on broad policy issues with representative bodies of colleges, universities, staff and students.

"The consultation paper details our proposals for the new body. We know that our Colleges and HE Institutions are amongst the best in the world, and we want to build on this success."

Responses to the Executive's consultation paper and draft Bill should be made byJuly 15 2004. As part of the consultation process a series of events will be held around Scotlandfor those interested to discuss the key issues surrounding the proposals. Copies of the consultation paper will be available on the consultation web pages.