One of the most eye-catching decisions of the devolution era was scrapping university tuition fees.

Unlike in England, where graduates repay some of the costs of their learning, Scottish students pay nothing. But behind this bold policy lies an injustice that scars our society. More than half of school leavers do not go to Uni and get nowhere near the same support.

Training, apprenticeships and getting a job are equally valid choices – yet the lion’s share of the funding goes to higher education. This injustice is compounded by the fact that free tuition often benefits pupils from private schools or more prosperous backgrounds.

School leavers from deprived areas who are already at a disadvantage face a lack of financial support if they choose to work. Scottish........

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