1. To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the United Kingdom Government and universities regarding the potential impact on visas for international students at Scottish universities of any delays in marking assessments. (S6O-02244)

Although immigration arrangements are fully reserved, it is vital that Scotland attracts and retains talented people to study and work here without undue barriers. Although the Scottish Government welcomed the launch of the graduate visa, we continue to engage with the UK Government on ways to improve the system so that it reflects our specific economic, demographic and social needs.

On industrial action, I am of course concerned about any adverse impact on students, but I know that our universities are putting in place appropriate mitigations to minimise disruption to studies. I would expect that to include mitigations for international students, which are currently being worked up.

Although matters concerning pay and working conditions are for universities to determine on a UK-wide basis, I encourage Scottish university employers and trade unions to engage in constructive and meaningful dialogue in pursuit of a resolution.

The minister will be aware that the current marking and assessment boycott is part of more than four years of industrial action, including strikes by University and College Union members, because their pay and conditions continue to degrade. They know that their actions will affect students, but staff employment conditions are students’ learning conditions, and the deterioration of one is bad for the other. Ensuring the quality and timely administration of degrees, including for international students, is the responsibility of universities’ management.

Will the minister outline what, if any, further engagement is planned to ensure that management responds to staff concerns about making their lives liveable, whether he considers intimidation with financial penalties to be appropriate, and what more the Scottish Government can do to ensure that international students on visas are not adversely affected?

Presiding Officer, you will allow me a moment to answer that in some detail.

Universities are autonomous institutions and, as such, matters concerning pay and working conditions are for them to determine in consultation with trade unions. However, I have met university leaders and will meet the UCU in the coming weeks. I am encouraging all concerned to get back around the table, because industrial action benefits nobody, least of all the students.

Regarding the possibility of institutions imposing financial penalties on staff who are involved in the marking boycott, I would expect fair work principles to be applied. I was pleased to see Queen Margaret University step back from its initial stance in that regard.

In response to concerns about the impact on international students, the Scottish Funding Council and the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education have indicated that there is scope for the marking boycott to affect aspects of international students’ studies. I understand that there are circumstances in which students can apply to extend their study visa, but that there is a cost associated with that.

I know that universities are taking steps to mitigate the impact of a boycott, particularly on fourth-year students. However, clearly, all that would best be avoided. I therefore encourage both sides to resume discussions.