To outline why an independent inquiry into student tuition fees is necessary and why an independent inquiry into local government finance i…

The reasons are as set out in the "Partnership for Scotland" agreement.On tuition fees, the Partnership Agreement said that we would propose a Committee of Inquiry, to review tuition fees and financial support for those participating in further and higher education. This Committee will consider all student finance, which is based on systems that have become dated as modern study patterns have developed.On local government finance, the Partnership Agreement said that we would continue to improve the distribution mechanisms of local government finance and would keep under review wider issues of local government finance. We recognise that many aspects of the present financial arrangements need to be addressed and we will be pursuing action on a number of fronts. We believe that, in this instance, this is a more practical and appropriate response than an independent review.