§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the average grant paid to a mature student in full-time higher education for the last year for which a figure is available.
§ Mr. Walden[pursuant to his reply, 4 July 1986]: The final sentence was omitted from the answer.
The mandatory awards regulations do not define a mature student. However, from their mid-twenties, students may, in addition to a full grant, receive certain supplementary allowances including an older students allowance and an allowance for dependants. In the academic year 1984–85, the average allowance paid to students in these categories was £530 and £1,355 respectively. This was in addition to a grant — for students not living with their parents — of £2,100 (London rate) £1,775 (elsewhere rate). Subject to the approval of Parliament, we propose to increase the older students allowance from this autumn by an average factor of about 10 per cent.