Scotland.....
Traditionally, the culture and history of education is different. Most specifically, the Scottish egalitarian tradition in education, which goes back to the Reformation, and advocated free, universal education for all.
The Scottish government therefore allocates more capita per head for further education than England and the Universities are expected to prove their worth with useful research etc.
Now fuck off you racist fuck!
(bettyginger and no-one else wanted to play in my cannibal cafe, Tue 16 Nov 2010, 17:51, 1 reply)

errr... England pay for it.
in the grand scheme of things, scotland is a net receiver of taxes. in exactly the same way that london is a net payer of taxes. The only way scotland can pay for free higher education and free care for the elderly, is because it is propped up by england. So when english kids are going to be paying off loans for their whole lives, scottish people, will not have to, and will then get exactly the same privileges as those from england.

Not sure about wales.

Very nice of you to give a philosophical answer as an excuse though, no matter how pointless.
(The Kwyjibo A big, dumb, balding North American ape., Tue 16 Nov 2010, 18:16, closed)

Actually...
Scotland doesn't have free care for the elderly. It has free personal care which accounts to less than 7% of the overall over 65 care costs. The majority being residential care (which is capped in Scotland - therefore limiting the market and making it less likely for private individuals/companies profiting off other people's misfortune)

Actually, I've just looked it up. England also has free personal care to the over 65s.
(bettyginger and no-one else wanted to play in my cannibal cafe, Tue 16 Nov 2010, 18:32, closed)

Going off topic
I'm not disputing the fact that London (as our nation's capital) generates the largest amount of income and indeed, props up the majority of the country. My point is that Scotland has a different cultural background from England. As does Wales and NI.
I just feel it is rather unfortunate that *some* people believe the myth that England supports everyone who isn't English.
(bettyginger and no-one else wanted to play in my cannibal cafe, Tue 16 Nov 2010, 18:48, closed)

but it does.
If the North East of England, also a net receiver of taxes, decided that students could get their university fees paid for, there would be outcry. Similarly, if people from Edinburgh were charged for university fees, people would not be very happy.

Scots get exactly the same benefits of having a degree, but none of the downsides. It is not fair, and the whole argument about tuition fees is about fairness, so let's start here.
(The Kwyjibo A big, dumb, balding North American ape., Tue 16 Nov 2010, 19:10, closed)