A Scottish minister was challenged over the lack of government evidence showing that free tuition helps more students from poorer backgrounds into university.
Shirley-Anne Somerville, the higher education minister, faced questions on the SNP’s flagship policy after it was revealed the amount of cash given in bursaries and grants had almost halved in five years.
Sunday Politics Scotland’s Gordon Brewer said it is “extraordinary” she has not commissioned research into the link between free tuition and widening access.
Ms Somerville said: “I don’t think it’s extraordinary that a government has a principle that free education is absolutely integral and you should be able to go to university regardless of how much money your parents have.”
