SNP endowment u-turn "welcome" - McInnes

3.39.17pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 9th Jun 2008

North East MSP Alison McInnes today welcomed the Government's decision not to call in Graduate Endowment payments from postgraduate students.

The SNP administration initially backed the SAAS in recalling outstanding payments despite an arrangement deferring these payments for any graduate proceeding directly to postgraduate study.

Ms McInnes said: "This will be a relief to students who, having expected to pay the outstanding endowment at the end of their postgraduate study, received a startling demand for immediate repayment last month.

"This was an unfair breach of trust on the part of the SAAS and the Government were wrong to back them. I am pleased that the original deal will now be honoured."