QMU merger 'must keep new campus'

ANY merger involving Queen Margaret University merger would have to preserve its £105 million campus near Musselburgh, officially opened just five months ago, says local MSP Iain Gray.

The university is facing a financial crisis after its debt hit £20m and options under discussion include a possible merger with Napier University or forming an east coast federation with Robert Gordon University and the University of Abertay.

Scottish Labour leader and East Lothian MSP Iain Gray called for a guarantee on the future of QMU's campus, which covers 35 acres.

Mr Gray said: "The new campus in East Lothian was a great step forward for the county, allowing people to study locally to degree level. The new location must be preserved if any merger does go ahead."

Claire Baker, Scottish Labour's further and higher education spokesperson, said the first priority had to be staff and students at QMU.

She continued: "There are clearly long-term budget issues at the university and the extremely tight settlement for the sector from the SNP Government hasn't helped. The needs of students must be fully taken into account."