Free tuition remains a popular policy with cross-party support. It needs to be properly funded by the politicians who are happy to take credit for the policy.

The Herald’s focus on Scotland’s universities is hugely welcome. It comes after a decade of underinvestment in the sector with funding for teaching per student falling by 39% in real terms over the past 10 years.

That funding, broadly called the teaching grant, covers much more than just teaching, and funds services that support students’ mental health and wellbeing, ensures that lecturers and tutors can provide one-to-one sessions, and supports the essential study skills vital to widening access.

We know from repeated polling that free tuition remains a popular policy. Politicians know this too. Less than three months ago, during the general election, Labour, the SNP and the Conservatives all confirmed their support for the policy in their Scottish manifestos for the 4 July elections.

But, if politicians want to take the credit for free tuition, then they need to properly fund the policy.

Universities cannot withstand the continual salami slicing of its funding. Cuts mean staff losing jobs and students’ education being harmed.

In recent months we’ve seen voluntary severance schemes in universities across the country; including Glasgow Caledonian University, the University of Aberdeen, Heriot-Watt University,........

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