Unprecedented £40 million bailout for Dundee University
The Gillies Report, published last week, led to the resignation of three senior staff members, including interim principal Professor Shane O'Neill.
It described the circumstances which led to the establishment needing a government bailout as "self-inflicted".
Ms Gilruth said the funding has been agreed "in principal" with the Scottish Funding Council, which normally issues cash independently.
But "specific conditions" will be placed on the funding, and it will only be released after a long-term recovery plan is put in place by the university.
Dundee University already received a £22 million bailout in February, meaning the Scottish Government has now provided £62 million for the institution this year.
Read more:
That bailout was part of a £25 million package made available to the SFC to help universities facing significant financial challenges.
"This is a unique and unprecedented set of circumstances which require a unique and unprecedented response,' Ms Gilruth said in a statement in Holyrood on Tuesday.
Dundee University is currently struggling to deal with a £35 million financial black hole, with the institution warning hundreds of job losses could be needed.
The scathing report into the institution's finances also criticised Professor Ian Gillespie, who resigned as principal in December.
It described him as having an "overbearing leadership style".
🎟️ Book now for The Herald's Unspun Live at the Edinburgh Fringe – featuring John Swinney, Anas Sarwar, Kate Forbes and more
As well as the resignation of the interim principal, the acting chair of court, Tricia Baym and chair of finance and policy Carla Rossini brought forward their own departures to quit with immediate effect.
Ms Gilruth added: "Where there has been the appearance of financial mismanagement at an institution, Scottish ministers are obliged to consider whether it is necessary or expedient to issue a direction to the SFC about the provision of financial support.
'Subject to the public value tests I have set out today, Scottish ministers consider it is both necessary and expedient for a direction to be issued to the SFC under Section 25 of the Further and Higher Education Scotland Act 2005.
'The use of this power is unprecedented and has been made necessary by the exceptional circumstances at the university.'
But she told MSPs the £40 million was not about "rewarding failure".
Read more:
Miles Briggs, education spokesman for the Scottish Tories, said: 'While the priority must be ensuring Dundee University gets on the road to recovery, it is hard to accept that we should just draw a line under the financial vandalism that went on for far too long.
'Those responsible for that gross mismanagement have rightly fallen on their sword but we must now see SNP ministers robustly scrutinise how the university will bring their finances into a sustainable position going forward.
'Staff and students remain deeply concerned about the precarious position the university finds itself in and will be worried that there appears to be no sign of a Plan B currently.
'There was clearly something rotten with the culture that was allowed to fester within Dundee University and that came from the very top.
'Too many of Scotland's universities are in an unsustainable position currently, yet we are still to see SNP ministers or university bosses address this crisis with the leadership that is required.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
an hour ago
- The National
TikToker hits 3m views praising National's Trump front page
TikTok user Hal_for_NY said Friday's splash, timed to coincide with the president's arrival in Scotland for the opening of a new golf course and meetings with Keir Starmer and European Commission president Ursula von der Layen, was 'amazing'. The clip has been viewed 3.1 million times and racked up more than 549,000 comments since it was posted on Friday. In the clip, the social media user said: 'Donald Trump is being welcomed to Scotland as a felon and not as a president as his trip is already off to a bad start. "Now, if you didn't know, today Donald Trump is headed to Scotland where he's expected to visit both of his golf courses and celebrate the grand opening of a new golf course, but in preparation for his arrival, Scottish newspaper The National released their front page and it is amazing. Take a look at this: 'Convicted US felon to arrive in Scotland'. 'Yeah, not president of the United States. Heck, they even call him 'Republican leader' instead of president. That is how he's going to be welcomed. On top of that, there are protests at both of his golf courses for his arrival.' The social media user goes on to speculate that Trump would have hoped the trip could have provided a 'distraction' to his domestic woes, as his Maga fanbase turn sour on the president over his refusal to release the so-called Epstein files. The results of historic investigations into paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, a former friend of Trump, are potentially explosive and reportedly name him but much of the material remains classified. (Image: Anna Moneymaker, Getty Images) Trump had said during his election campaign he would be open to releasing more – but has since walked this back, saying the case is closed. He also appeared to have been angered by a recent South Park episode which depicted him as literally getting into bed with Satan and having a tiny penis. The social media user added: 'Donald Trump thought he could get away and have a bit of a distraction. He's got so much going on here between the [Epstein] files that he's not releasing, the South Park episode. (Image: Greg Lovett/Palm Beach Post/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images) 'He's not having exactly the time he wants here, so he thought maybe in Scotland he can get away from this and get a distraction. Instead, he's getting the welcome that he so richly deserves. Well done.' It also featured in a video from the popular MeidasTouch YouTube channel which has received 1.6m views. The front page has spread like wildfire in Scotland, the UK and US, with anti-Trump Americans expressing their joy on social media at seeing the president exposed in the media.
The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- The Herald Scotland
Bus firm owned by former Rangers directors doubles profits
We revealed this week that McGill's, the 'largest independent bus firm in the UK', posted that the earnings rise was partly down to acquisitions. James and Sandy Easdale. (Image: Jeff Holmes/JSHPIX) The Greenock-based firm owned by billionaire brothers Sandy and James Easdale put forward results covering a 'wide and diverse portfolio'. The firm said: 'McGill's Bus Group is Britain's largest independently owned bus company and a pioneer in fleet decarbonisation, with over 110 zero emission electric buses.' Read the full exclusive story here ANALYSIS 📈 Why the case for a 'Scottish visa' just got stronger Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is sticking to his red lines on Brexit. (Image: PA) At times like these the dogmatic nature of politics must really frustrate people in business. While Sir Keir Starmer sticks to his Government's red lines on Europe – meaning there will be no return to the single market, no re-joining the customs union and no freedom of movement under his watch – the UK's economic prospects will continue to be constrained. This includes in Scotland, which of course voted resoundingly to remain in the European Union in the referendum of 2016, and has been living with the consequences since. But how long can the current state of affairs continue? Starmer has so far resisted calls from the Scottish Government to introduce a "Scottish visa" to help the country deal with the labour shortages it faces, but the issue is simply not going away. Read Scott Wright's analysis here SERIES: THE BARRAS REBORN 🍽️ How The Barras stealthily became Glasgow's most exciting foodie destination The Barras has slowly but surely evolved into one of the city's most exciting foodie destinations. (Image: Newsquest) Whelks, mussels and white sugar-coated doughnuts might well be what first come to mind when you picture food from The Barras Market in Glasgow. None of the above is wrong, with the Loch Fyne Shellfish Bar on London Road celebrating 65 years in business and Danny's Donuts still firing up their fryers every weekend. But elsewhere, thanks to a team who have invested time and effort into curating a line-up of street food vendors unlike any other, The Barras has slowly but surely evolved into one of the city's most exciting foodie destinations. As part of our Barras Reborn series, The Herald sat down with market manager Chris Butler to discuss the influx of independent culinary talent now based in the East End and how this contributes to the shifting identity of a 104-year-old cultural landmark. Read Sarah Campbell's article here AROUND THE GREENS ⛳ Coming soon to a club near you: Golf vending machines A mock-up of what the proposed vending machines might look like (Image: Newsquest) This article appears as part of Kristy Dorsey's Around the Greens series Officials at discount retailer Affordable Golf are sizing up plans to roll out vending machines at clubs across Scotland selling items such as balls and gloves to players who might otherwise be caught short.
Edinburgh Reporter
2 hours ago
- Edinburgh Reporter
Festival venue takes a step towards a greener Fringe
Sustainable souvenir scheme tackles single-use cup waste FRINGE-GOERS picking up a drink at one of the capital's busiest venues are being asked to make a small change with a big impact – as part of a bold new drive to reduce waste and support charitable causes. In a new initiative Surgeons Quarter, the commercial arm of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, has introduced a £2 reusable cup policy, replacing throwaway plastic with souvenir-style cups that support good causes. Customers pay a one-time £2 charge for a reusable cup, which is theirs to keep. When returning for another drink, they'll receive a fresh, clean replacement cup at no extra cost. Surgeons Quarter has a longstanding reputation for leading with innovation through environmental initiatives and investing heavily in the wellbeing of its staff. Ten Hill Place Hotel, part of the Surgeons Quarter portfolio, was first awarded a Green Tourism Gold Award in 2008 and has proudly retained this accolade for 17 consecutive years. One of the hotel's many sustainable efforts has been the removal of single-use plastic bottles from guest bedrooms. It's a change which has saved over 100,000 bottles to date. In their place, guests are gifted Scottish wildflower seed packets to take home, encouraging biodiversity in their own gardens and extending memories of their stay at the hotel. Other green initiatives have included a £20,000 investment for installation of EV charging stations at the hotel, as well as a £60,000 investment in new staff members uniforms made from recycled plastic bottles with each uniform preventing 45 bottles from reaching landfills or oceans. But sustainability is only part of the picture. Surgeons Quarter also goes above and beyond for its team. Recognised by the Living Wage Foundation (LWF), it ensures all staff, regardless of age, are paid above the LWF Living Wage. In addition, all employees contribute at least 12% of their salary toward their pension, with 7.5% of that contributed by the employer, more than double the required minimum. Surgeons Quarters Managing Director Scott Mitchell said: 'We're always looking at how we can help improve the planet, improve the guest experience and also improve the working environment for our team. That's why we continually invest in initiatives prioritising long-term sustainability and staff wellbeing. We believe these aspects go hand in hand.' The reusable cup policy reflects this commitment. Surgeons Quarter invested over £20,000 in the upfront cost of the cups, making the £2 charge fair and necessary, so it can continue running operations that pay staff fairly, reduce environmental impact and maintain the support for its local charity partners. Scott added: 'This step is a part of a wider commitment to doing what's right, even when it costs more. That's why we're asking the public to support the reusable cup change as it helps us improve standards across the board.' Some of the reusable and dishwasher safe cups feature the striking silhouette of the iconic Playfair Hall, while others are branded with the logos of theSpaceUK, which hosts the largest and most diverse programme at the Festival Fringe, and Surgeons Quarter itself. The variety of designs provides visitors with eye-catching tangible reminders of their Festival experience as well as supporting the drive to reduce single-use waste. Scott Mitchell said: ' After testing the concept in 2024, we've streamlined the system and are excited to launch the full initiative. We're trying to shift the mindset. Rather than something disposable, we want people to see these as souvenirs that do good. 'We know some will be resistant to change but when it's a minimal cost for an item that supports local and global causes, we hope people will get on board.'' A portion of proceeds from cup sales will support three key causes: carbon offsetting initiatives through Ecologi; a special Supper Soirée hosted by Surgeons Quarter in support of Cyrenians, the homelessness charity tackling isolation and homelessness; and the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh's global efforts to improve patient outcomes around the world. Under the new guidelines, festivalgoers are welcome to bring their own clean reusable cups for wine, spirits, bottled beer and soft drinks only — provided the cup is visibly clean. However, if the cup is not SQ-branded, it is your responsibility to ensure it is hygienic, as staff are unable to wash or handle personal cups. Single-use plastic cups, including supermarket-style cups, will not be accepted. Scott added: 'This isn't about jumping on a trend. It's a long-term commitment to reducing our footprint and boosting our social impact. 'A single-use plastic cup has an impact of 0.07kg CO2e, and a reusable equivalent has an impact of 0.0084kg CO2e per use. Every cup that isn't thrown away is a small win for the environment and every cup that helps someone in need makes that win even sweeter.' Surgeons Quarter promotes, sells, and manages all commercial activities held within the RCSEd campus. These include facilities for conferences, meetings, private events, parties, and weddings, as well as its own four-star hotel, Ten Hill Place, Café 1505, and SQ Travel. Like this: Like Related
