Higher Education Students (Hansard, 24 January 1995)

§ 5. Mr. Purchase
To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the planned total number of students in higher education in 1995–96 and 1996–97; and what were the figures underlying the 1993 Budget statement.

§ Mr. Boswell
The planned total number of students in higher education in England is 961,000 for both 1995–96 and 1996–97. The figures underlying the November 1993 budget were 941,000 for 1994–95, 963,000 for 1995–96 and 968,000 for 1996–97.

§ Mr. Purchase
The Minister must know that demand for places is increasing far more rapidly and, that by the policies he adopts, he is denying the opportunity for many putative students to study at university. Does he accept the opinion of the Confederation of British Industry and many others that it is vital that a bigger and bigger percentage of our young people attends university to bring us up to date with the skills that we need for the 21st century?

§ Mr. Boswell
The hon. Gentleman is stronger on assertion than on history. Student numbers have risen by 50 per cent. in the past five years. We are reviewing higher education and taking advice on the future size and shape of HE from interested parties and others who wish to contribute to the debate. I suggest that the hon. Gentleman listen to their suggestions before jumping to conclusions.

§ Mr. Rowe
About a year ago, my hon. Friend's predecessor told me that the Department was looking at the length of some degree courses. Does my hon. Friend agree that some students attending courses could complete their studies in a much shorter time than that laid down by the higher education institutions that they attend? Will he look again at the possibility of giving those students the opportunity to complete their studies more quickly?

§ Mr. Boswell
My hon. Friend raises an interesting point. It is very much a matter for institutions and their students to consider, as they are responsible for academic courses and academic standards. I agree with my hon. Friend that it is a plain mathematical fact that, the longer the length of a course for an individual, the lower the proportion of students who can be financed with the same given amount of money.

§ Mrs. Anne Campbell
Is the Minister aware that the lack of a relationship between the number of students and the consequent changes in funding has meant that many 131 students today suffer severe student poverty? Will the Minister undertake a study of the relationship between student poverty and academic success?

§ Mr. Boswell
It is an interesting fact that every three years there is a student income and expenditure survey. The survey published last year revealed no evidence of widespread poverty. It also found that if students avail themselves of the grant and loan to which they are entitled, they receive as much money to maintain their studies as they did previously. We protect the real-terms value of the total students' support package. While there may be specific cases, it is appropriate to refer them to the access funds. The overall participation of students and the expansion in their numbers suggest that poverty is not a widespread or significant problem.