Fife politicians' spat over university fee proposal

The SNP politician wants Conservative Roz McColl to outline her position after shadow finance secretary Liz Smith called for the reinstatement of graduate endowment charges.

Such a move, said Ms Somerville, would prevent many local students from being able to pursue further education.

“People across Dunfermline and West Fife deserve to know Roz McCall's position on this vitally important issue," she said.

"Does she accept that access to university should be based on ability to learn, ensuring everyone has the opportunity of a university education?

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"Or does she agree with her colleague Liz Smith's belief that only those with enough money deserve to attend university classes?

"Since free tuition was implemented by the SNP, the number of first-time, full-time Scottish degree entrants has surged by a third.

"There are also a record number of students from Scotland's poorest communities now able to enter university.

“It is clear that only the SNP can be relied upon to safeguard education from financial barriers, ensuring that tuition fees in Scotland remain free for all.”

Hitting back, Ms McColl accused the Dunfermline MSP of scaremongering.

"It is unsurprising that at a time when the SNP government’s appalling record is under the spotlight, Shirley Ann-Somerville chooses to scaremonger about the Scottish Conservative’s policy on free university tuition fees," she said.

"To be clear, I and my party continue to support free university tuition. However, the SNP’s cap on places for Scottish students is having a negative impact on our young people.

"Under the incompetent government, which Shirley-Anne Somerville is a part, Scottish universities are forced to reject applications from our own students in favour of fee-paying students from England and further afield.

"I will take no lectures from a party that has failed to adequately fund our universities.’’