Latest updates
Finance and Governance
Edinburgh University lecturers take industrial action amid financial pressures
Members of the University and College Union (UCU) at the University of Edinburgh have commenced a five-week strike, amid an ongoing dispute over the University’s financial position and the prospect of further job losses.
The industrial action is expected to cause disruption to teaching and other university activities at the start of the academic year. Union representatives have expressed concern that continued cost-cutting measures could have significant consequences for both staff and students.
The dispute has intensified following the recent announcement that approximately 90 programmes at the University are under review for closure. Concerns have been building since the University outlined plans to make around £140 million in savings nearly two years ago. According to staff representatives, these measures have already led to substantial reductions in staffing through voluntary departures, unrenewed contracts, and reduced opportunities for casual and hourly-paid workers. The UCU argues that the proposed programme closures represent a further escalation and increase the likelihood of compulsory redundancies. The University maintains that it faces significant financial challenges and that measures are required to secure its long-term sustainability.
The dispute highlights continuing concerns across the sector regarding workforce planning, financial resilience and the impact of restructuring programmes on staff and students.
You can read more here.
Alyn Smith appointed as Minister for Innovation, Technology and Tertiary Education
The Scottish Government has announced the appointment of Alyn Smith as its new Minister for Innovation, Technology and Tertiary Education. Subject to the necessary parliamentary processes and Royal approval, he will succeed Ben Macpherson, who stepped down from the role last week. The appointment was confirmed by First Minister John Swinney, who highlighted Mr Smith’s experience across Scottish, UK and European politics.
In announcing the appointment, the First Minister noted that Mr Smith will play a key role in delivering the Programme for Government commitments on post-school education, skills and innovation. This includes maintaining free university tuition, expanding apprenticeship opportunities, developing a new national skills plan and supporting university research and commercial spin-outs. The role will also involve strengthening links between businesses and academic institutions to help drive innovation, investment and economic growth across Scotland.
You can read more here.
Information Systems and Technology
Scottish legal lecturers lead the way with AI facial recognition governance project
Two senior legal academics from the University of Edinburgh Law School and the University of Stirling have secured funding for a research project examining the governance of live facial recognition (LFR). Funded by the Scottish Institute for Policing Research, the project will explore the legal, ethical and governance challenges posed by the use of AI-powered LFR technologies in Scottish policing.
The researchers will consider how these technologies can be deployed in a way that respects privacy, data protection and wider human rights concerns, while also addressing social issues including bias, discrimination and public trust in policing. The project will analyse the evolving regulatory landscape for AI and facial recognition technology, bringing together public opinion with the perspectives of police officers, academics and policymakers to support the development of practical governance solutions.
The project, which began last month, underlines the important role universities can play in informing future policy and regulation through research.
You can read more here.
Abertay University launches eye-tracking research partnership with German university
Abertay University in Scotland and Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule, Regensburg in Germany, have launched a new international partnership to advance eye-tracking research. The collaboration aims to support improvements in the design of future software, AI and other digital technologies.
The researchers will use eye-tracking technology to analyse how users interact with digital environments, generating insights into human decision-making, attention and user behaviour. The collaboration has already produced preliminary work that will provide a foundation for the teams’ further investigations.
From a legal perspective, the research may have implications for AI governance, cybersecurity, digital accessibility and user privacy. More broadly, it demonstrates the innovation and technological development that can emerge from collaboration between universities.
You can read more here.
Estate and Environment
Estates and Environment (Scottish Property)
1,200 more homes set for Aberdeen after university land deal
Bancon Homes has completed a major land transaction with the University of Aberdeen, enabling the next phases of the Rowett South development at Bucksburn to proceed. The wider scheme is expected to deliver around 1,700 homes alongside community facilities and infrastructure, with more than 500 homes already completed or under construction.
The land formed part of the former Rowett Institute campus, which became part of the University of Aberdeen before relocating to Foresterhill. Completion of the transaction will facilitate development of the remaining 1,200 homes within the masterplan and represents another step in the redevelopment of the former university site. The project demonstrates how former university land holdings can be repurposed to support housing growth and wider community investment.
You can read more here.
Students in Dundee forced to move out after student accommodation provider goes bust
Marketgait Apartments filed for administration in July and has now become the newest in a string of UK Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) providers going bust over recent years. This has unfortunately left the 68 students actively letting rooms from the provider with only one month to gather their possessions and seek new accommodation, right at the beginning of the new academic year.
Reports have speculated that this broader pattern of financial failings in the PBSA sector is a result of fewer international students – who are the main occupants of modern purpose-built halls – applying to UK universities, as well as the heightened borrowing and build costs brought about by the Iran war.
You can read more here.
RBS backs major investment in Edinburgh student accommodation
Royal Bank of Scotland has given £82.6 million to support the acquisition and refurbishment of three purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) developments across Edinburgh, Birmingham and London. The investment includes Haddington Place in Edinburgh, a 240-bed student accommodation scheme located close to the city centre and major transport links.
The funding will also support a programme of safety, sustainability and quality improvements across the properties, including cladding remediation, fire safety works, ESG enhancements and refurbishments aimed at improving the student living experience. The three developments collectively provide more than 900 student beds in key university cities, reflecting continued investment in the PBSA sector despite wider challenges facing the student accommodation market.
You can read more here.
HR Issues
Heriot-Watt staff take strike action in dispute over job cuts
Staff represented by the University and College Union at Heriot-Watt University undertook two days of strike action in September in an ongoing dispute concerning job cuts and the potential use of compulsory redundancies. The action followed a ballot in which union members voted to support further industrial action, with the resulting mandate extending for up to 12 months.
The dispute relates principally to proposed staffing reductions within the Department of Languages and Intercultural Studies and the future of the Scholar programme, which provides online learning resources to schools. Union representatives have argued that previous commitments regarding compulsory redundancies were not upheld, while the university has stated that it remains committed to achieving reductions through voluntary means wherever possible. The dispute illustrates the employment pressures being experienced by institutions seeking to reduce costs while maintaining academic provision and student services.
You can read more here.
University of Glasgow postgraduate tutors protest contract changes
The University and College Union organised a demonstration at the University of Glasgow in response to concerns over the withdrawal of contract extensions for Graduate Teaching Assistants and Associate Tutors within the College of Social Sciences. Union representatives argued that the changes could create financial uncertainty for postgraduate researchers who undertake teaching responsibilities alongside their studies.
The issue has attracted attention because postgraduate teaching staff play an important role in delivering tutorials, seminars and student support across many higher education institutions. The dispute reflects wider sector concerns regarding casualisation, fixed-term employment and job security for early-career academics. Developments may also be of interest to institutions considering changes to teaching support models and postgraduate employment arrangements.
You can read more here.
Upcoming Consultations
Scottish Government consultation on proposals to update the School Premises Regulations – The consultation closed on 31 March 2026. The Scottish Government published its consultation analysis on 28 August 2026 and is considering the findings as part of the development of updated regulations.
Department for Education consultation on medical conditions at school ahead of updated guidance – The consultation closed on 15 May 2026. The government response was published on 6 July 2026 and updated guidance is being developed. Separate statutory guidance on allergy safety has been published.
Department for Business and Trade consultation on how the right to time off work for public duties operates in practice, and on proposed changes to the list of public duties eligible for time off – The consultation closed on 4 September 2026 and a response is awaited.
Department for Education consultation on proposals to reform the early years funding system for early years entitlements – The consultation closed on 14 September 2026 and a response is awaited.
Department for Education consultation on improving support, quality and oversight for children and young people who are educated outside of school – The consultation closed on 18 September 2026 and a response is awaited.
Department for Education consultation on how local authorities could increase the funding mainstream schools receive to support pupils with SEND – The consultation closed on 18 September 2026 and a response is awaited.
Department for Education consultation on reforms that will define how early years teachers are trained and assessed in future – The consultation closed on 24 September 2026 and a response is awaited.
Department for Education consultation on proposed changes to the Teachers' Pension Scheme Regulations 2027 – The consultation closes on 30 October 2026.
Scottish Government consultation on restricting mobile phones in Scotland's schools – The consultation closes on 17 November 2026.
Key Legislative and Regulatory Changes
Royal Assent Received
SUMMARY OF CHANGE
Building Safety Levy (Scotland) Bill
The Bill introduces a new tax, called the Scottish Building Safety Levy, to be charged on the construction or conversion of residential property developments, with some exceptions.
The Scottish Government has announced that the Scottish Building Safety Levy will come into effect on 1 April 2028.
WHEN
The Bill received Royal Assent on 13 May 2026.
SUMMARY OF CHANGE
Tobacco and Vapes Bill
The Bill prohibits the sale of tobacco to those born on or after 1 January 2009 and allows for product requirements to be imposed in connection with tobacco, vapes, and similar products.
Implementation is proceeding in stages, with certain retail and enforcement measures commencing from October 2026 and the tobacco age-of-sale provisions taking effect from 1 January 2027.
WHEN
The Bill received Royal Assent on 29 April 2026.
SUMMARY OF CHANGE
Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill
The Bill has three key parts. Part 1 confers powers and duties on the SFC in respect of funding and securing the delivery of national training programmes, Scottish apprenticeships, and work-based learning. Part 2 of the Bill looks to amend the governance structure of the SFC, altering the arrangements for re-appointing members of the SFC Board (such as conferring on SFC the power to co-opt two additional members). Part 3 clarifies the process for providing student support to Scottish students studying at private institutions in the UK.
Implementation is taking place on a phased basis, with some sections requiring commencement by the Scottish Ministers before they come into force.
WHEN
The Bill received Royal Assent on 11 March 2026.
SUMMARY OF CHANGE
Land Reform (Scotland) Bill
The Bill proposes measures that will apply to land over 1,000 hectares, prohibiting sales in some cases until Ministers consider the impact on the local community.
Initial commencement regulations took effect in March 2026, bringing into force provisions relating to the functions of the Land Commissioners, while other provisions are yet to be commenced.
WHEN
The Bill received Royal Assent on 16 December 2025.
SUMMARY OF CHANGE
Education (Scotland) Bill
The Bill establishes a new body called Qualifications Scotland. It also creates a new office His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education in Scotland.
The Act has been commenced in stages and Qualifications Scotland became operational in January 2026.
WHEN
The Bill received Royal Assent on 6 August 2025.
SUMMARY OF CHANGE
Care Reform (Scotland) Bill (formerly known as the National Care Service (Scotland) Bill)
The Bill allows Scottish Ministers to transfer social care responsibility from local authorities to a new, national service. This will be known as the National Care Service (the NCS). Ministers will be able to transfer healthcare functions from the NHS to this new NCS.
Earlier proposals to create a National Care Service were largely removed during the Bill’s passage through the Scottish Parliament. The legislation that was ultimately enacted focused on a range of wider care reform measures, including “Anne’s Law”, which strengthen the rights of adults living in care homes to maintain contact with loved ones and to identify an Essential Care Supporter.
WHEN
The Bill received Royal Assent on 22 July 2025.
SUMMARY OF CHANGE
Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill
The Bill has four key parts. Part 1 considered the overarching regulatory framework of legal services. Part 2 provides rules about the regulation of businesses that provide legal services. Part 3 deals with the complaint’s procedure of legal services. Part 4 considers who can provide legal services and creates new offences in relation to those who pretend to have the ability to provide legal services.
Initial regulations under the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025 came into force during 2026.
WHEN
The Bill received Royal Assent on 27 June 2025.
SUMMARY OF CHANGE
Data (Use and Access) Bill
The Bill proposes to allow the ‘smart data’ model to be used in more sectors, to establish a trust framework for digital verification services, to modernise the data protection landscape, and to strengthen the ICO’s enforcement powers for both the UK GDPR and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations.
Implementation took place on a phased basis, with the final provisions coming into force on 19 June 2026. The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 now fully in force.
WHEN
The Bill received Royal Assent on 19 June 2025.
In Progress
SUMMARY OF CHANGE
Cyber Security and Resilience Bill (UK)
This Bill seeks to strengthen and expand the existing Network and Information Systems (NIS) Regulations 2018, enhancing the UK's resilience to cyber threats and improving protection for the essential services on which the public depends
WHEN
Introduced on 12 November 2025. Now completed its second reading and committee stage.
This bulletin is for information purposes only and should not be regarded as legal advice but if you would like further information on any aspect please get in touch with any of the contacts below.
