Anas Sarwar has said focusing on the “forgotten 60%” of kids who do not go to university will be a top priority if he becomes First Minister. The Scottish Labour leader said young people should not be defined by their school grades and backed a major investment in non-uni options.
He backed the last Labour Government’s expansion of higher education, but said a “culture” has been created which stigmatises people who do not get a degree. Sarwar said it is a “pretence” to suggest that “somehow the only successful route is if you choose to go to university”. He added: “There are so many other great things children can do that are fulfilling, supports their health and wellbeing, gives a good income and breaks the cycle of poverty. That’s why that’s going to be a real focus on us.”
“Why should a grade that a child gets when they are sixteen and seventeen judge the outcomes for them when they are 25, 35, 45 and 55?” But decisions like the Labour Government cutting the Winter Fuel Payment for older people have drained his party of support.