Cole-Hamilton raises plight of Edinburgh University students with Cabinet Secretary

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader and MSP for Edinburgh Western, Alex Cole-Hamilton, has written to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, Jenny Gilruth, urging ‘decisive action’ in the face of industrial action and marking boycotts within Scottish universities.

It comes amid serious concerns of students that their work could go completely unmarked as a result of a marking boycott by lecturers at the University of Edinburgh which could lead their grades being devalued. Markers at the university are being threatened with a 50% pay cut as a result of taking industrial action.

Mr Cole-Hamilton said:

“I have spoken to countless students who are deeply troubled by this industrial action, all of whom have dedicated a huge part of their lives to pursuing academic projects that could now go completely unseen.

"Discounting these projects could have serious impacts on their future job prospects.

"All of this disruption places additional pressure on a cohort that have already had their time at university jeopardised by continued industrial action and the disruption of the pandemic.

"I also have concerns regarding the way staff are being threatened with heavy pay cuts in response to deciding to participate in industrial action. Staff should not feel frightened about exercising their right to fight for better pay and working conditions. 

"The Scottish Government must prioritise this issue and take the decisive action that is clearly needed to resolve these concerns so that we ensure the welfare and future success of students and staff alike.”