FOI/202600505767 · FOI · released
Meetings between Minister for Higher and Further Education and union representatives: FOI release
Information requested
Since September 2025, how many times has the Minister for Higher and Further Education met with representatives from (i) Unison, (ii) Unite, (iii) EIS, (iv) GMB and (v) Colleges Scotland; what the purpose of each meeting was; and who requested each meeting.
Response
I enclose a copy of all the information you requested in a document setting out each occasion that the the Minister for Higher and Further Education met with Unison, Unite, EIS, GMB and Colleges Scotland since September 2025.
Meeting/Event Date Purpose and Organiser International Education Strategy Governance Group (Colleges Scotland representation) (Minister for Higher and Further Education, and Minister for Veterans) 03/09/2025 Long standing commitment chaired by the Minister for Higher and Further Education, attended by Colleges Scotland representatives – requested by Scottish Government. Meeting with EIS, Unison, Unite and GMB (Minister for Higher and Further Education, and Minister for Veterans) 16/09/2025 A briefing session with the unions, together with student representatives regarding the Framework for Sustainability and Success of Scotland’s Universities – requested by Universities Scotland Meeting with Gavin Donoghue, Chief Executive Officer, Colleges Scotland (Minister for Higher and Further Education, and Minister for Veterans) 18/09/2025 To discuss the budget in advance of Colleges Scotland submitting a written paper setting out the sectors’ requirements – requested by Colleges Scotland Meeting with Colleges Scotland 02/10/2025 Early discussions around shared ambition to help college sector thrive – requested by Colleges Scotland. Meeting with Colleges Scotland 21/10/2025 Meeting to discuss a first draft proposal/Terms of Reference for the future of the college sector requested by Colleges Scotland. Meeting with EIS 12/11/2025 To discuss the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill next steps and any potential amendments ahead of Stage 2 requested by Scottish Government Meeting with EIS 25/11/2025 Introductory meeting – requested by EIS Meeting with Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills and the Minister for Higher and Further Education with Trade Unions (Unison) 27/11/2025 Part of a series of meetings with Trade Unions regarding Dundee University’s recovery planning requested by Scottish Government. Meeting with Colleges Scotland 11/12/2025 Introductory meeting – requested by Colleges Scotland Meeting with Colleges Scotland 17/12/2025 Tripartite Alignment Group meeting – long standing regular meeting with agreement from the Minister to attend on occasion. Ministerial roundtable on graduate Apprenticeships (Colleges Scotland representation) 07/01/2026 The Minister for Higher and Further Education chaired a graduate apprenticeship roundtable at the request of Universities Scotland. International Education Strategy Governance Group (Colleges Scotland representation) 13/01/2026 Long standing commitment chaired by the Minister for Higher and Further Education, attended by Colleges Scotland representatives - requested by Scottish Government. Meeting with Unison and Unite the Union 13/01/2026 Combined meeting with unions and PCS – requested by UNISON and UNITE the Union via separate correspondence. EIS reception – Scottish Parliament 13/01/2026 Reception hosted by EIS in which the Minister attended requested by EIS. Post-Budget meeting with Colleges Scotland 16/01/2026 To discuss the budget announcement – requested by Scottish Government. Meeting with EIS University Lecturers’ Association (ULA) 22/01/2026 To discuss a number of concerns raised by EIS regarding the higher education sector requested by EIS. Meeting with Trade Unions (Unison, Unite) 22/01/2026 Part of a series of meetings with Trade Unions regarding Dundee Universities recovery planning requested by Scottish Government. Steering group for the Framework for Sustainability and Success of Scotland’s Universities (Unite) 30/01/2026 The minister briefly joined the first Steering Group for the Framework for Sustainability and Success of Scotland’s Universities to thank Steering Group members for agreeing to participate and to highlight the importance of this work requested by Universities Scotland
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Contact Please quote the FOI reference Central Correspondence Unit Email: contactus@gov.scot Phone: 0300 244 4000 The Scottish Government St Andrew's House Regent Road Edinburgh EH1 3DG
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