§ 10. Mr. Canavanasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the value of the maximum student grant in real terms compared with 1978–79.
§ Mr. WaldenThe main rate of grant for the majority of students is currently £1,901; from the next academic year it will be £1,972. The equivalent grant in 1978–79 was £1,100, which would be worth £2,204 today. Students may be eligible for additional allowances depending on their circumstances.
§ 14. Mr. James Lamondasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he now expects the Government's review of student grants to be completed.
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§ 32. Mr. Heathcoat-Amoryasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to complete his review of support for higher education students.
§ 48. Mr. Michieasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he now expects the Government's review of student grants to be completed.
§ 51. Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he now expects the Government's review of student grants to be completed.
§ Mr. WaldenI refer hon. Members to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester South (Mr. Spencer).
§ 21. Mr. Patrick Thompsonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he next plans to meet the Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals to discuss student support.
§ Mr. WaldenMy right hon. Friend has no present plans to discuss student support with the Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals but I will be meeting it on 9 March to hear oral evidence to the current review of student support.
§ 34. Mr. Fatchettasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received on the level of student grants; and if he will make a statement.
§ 41. Sir David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether, in view of the Select Committee's report on student awards dated 16 December 1986, he will make an early response to its recommendation that there is an urgent need for an increase in real terms, in student awards.
§ 44. Mr. Livseyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations have been made to his Department about the mandatory student awards for 1987–88; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaldenSince the beginning of October 1986 about 320 representations have been received relating in one way or another to the level of student grants. These included a full submission from the National Union of Students recommending levels of grant, and changes to the regulations, for 1987–88, which was discussed at a meeting with the Department's officials. In addition, the Education, Science and Arts Committee of this House published its report on student awards last month, and about 100 organisations or persons have submitted evidence in response to the invitation of the review of student support.
As my right hon. Friend announced on 30 January at column 401, the main rates of grant for the 1987–88 academic year will be increased in line with the forecast rise in the retail price index. I would expect the Government's response to the first report of the Education, Science and Arts Committee to be published before the summer recess.
§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what the total cost or the estimated total cost to parents of the assessed contributions to student grants has been in each year since 1978–79 to the latest date for which figures are available (a)in cost terms and (b)indexed using 1978–79 as a base.
§ Mr. WaldenThe information below relates to all Full value mandatory and discretionary awards.
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England and Wales Academic year Assessed parental contributions Index of assessed parental contributions £million cash1 (1978–79 = 100) 1978–79 99 100 1979–80 92 93 1980–81 107 108 1981–82 137 138 1982–83 167 169 1983–84 184 186 1984–85 251 254 1Including a notional assessment in respect of minimum award holders.