HL Deb 08 July 1998 vol 591 cc1227-9

2.44 p.m.

Earl Russell asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will consider restoring a right to income support and housing benefit during the long vacation to students who are orphaned or estranged from both their parents.

Lord Haskel

My Lords, although this particular group is not mentioned in a recent report by the Social Security Advisory Committee on student provision, a ministerial taskforce was established to consider the support available to care leavers, some of whom may be orphaned or estranged from both parents and in full-time education. The advisory committee's report raised a wide range of student issues. In due course, we will lay that report before the House, together with our response and regulations, as a Command Paper. Those regulations will be subject to affirmative resolution in both Houses and your Lordships will have the opportunity to debate them fully at that time.

Earl Russell

My Lords, I thank the Minister for offering a tiny chink of hope. Is he aware that no student can live for 52 weeks without a home to go to on simply grant and loan together? Is he further aware that students looking for work face the same chance of failing to get it as everyone else? Is he aware, therefore, that students who are orphaned or estranged from their families go through their undergraduate years in perpetual danger of having to withdraw from their studies through no fault of their own? Does he think that that is fair on people whose lives are difficult enough already?

Lord Haskel

My Lords, financial support from educational maintenance grants and student loans is intended to provide for the whole year. However, life is not as simple as that, as the noble Earl has pointed out. In these cases help is available from the access funds. Those funds are available to institutions of higher education so that they can provide selective help to certain students who have serious financial difficulties.

Baroness Warnock

My Lords, is the Minister aware that the number of young people between the ages of 19 and 21 seeking to go to university is dropping and that the number of mature students has already dropped considerably? Does he not agree that to disadvantage the most vulnerable students will increase this tendency, which in itself is extremely worrying?

Lord Haskel

My Lords, I cannot agree that the most vulnerable students are disadvantaged because there are special arrangements for vulnerable students. Vulnerable students—for instance, students who are under 19, students who have parental responsibilities and students who have other problems—are entitled to certain social security benefits.

Baroness Park of Monmouth

My Lords, is the Minister aware that the maintenance grant and everything else that is provided by no means cover the whole year? Is he further aware that, although the access funds have been increased, they are far too small to cover this problem, where one is looking at a need for at least £500? Most people receive only about £250 at the most from the access funds and very many people are, for different reasons, entitled to it. I urge the Minister to consider either greatly increasing the access funds or taking action of the kind proposed by the noble Earl.

Lord Haskel

My Lords, access funds have been doubled for the coming academic year. In addition, in the coming academic year access funds will be available to part-time students for the first time. This is a matter for the academic institutions, but I note what the noble Baroness has said.

Baroness Byford

My Lords, the Minister said that the access funds have been increased. Do the Government have any idea of the numbers of students who are affected at the moment? In looking at the problem, will they balance the responsibility on young people to try to find work for themselves with the counterbalance of providing for those who are most vulnerable and need additional help?

Lord Haskel

My Lords, the department estimates that about 60 per cent. of students had part-time work during the summer or winter vacation. Most other students seemed to manage with the help of parental gifts and other help from god-parents, companies or whatever. The matter is under consideration. When the advisory committee reports we shall have the opportunity to debate the matter in more detail.

Earl Russell

My Lords, I thank the Minister for what he said about the increase in the access funds. Is he aware that the experience of the noble Baroness, Lady Park of Monmouth, that what is available is simply nowhere near enough to go round is the universal experience of every academic with whom I have spoken?

Lord Haskel

My Lords, I am aware of the noble Earl's view. This is a matter which the committee is taking into consideration at this very moment.