Disabled Students (Hansard, 13 November 1989)

§ Mr. Hannam
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has any evidence from other countries where a loans system has been introduced of its effects on disabled students entering further and higher education.

Mr. Jackson
We have no evidence to suggest that the introduction of loans schemes in other countries has reduced participation by disabled students. Top-up loans represent an additional resource which we intend to make available to disabled as to other students.

§ Mr. Hannam
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether as part of his proposals on top-up loans for students he will consider establishing a fourth access fund to assist disabled students.

Mr. Jackson
Disabled students, in addition to their present support, will be eligible for the additional resources in the form of the loan that the Government intend to provide. Unlike other students, they will retain entitlement to social security benefits. They will be eligible for support from the access fund appropriate to their level of study. In the circumstances there is no need to provide an additional access fund exclusively for disabled students.
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§ Mr. Hannam
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many local education authorities have policies governing payment of the disabled students allowance.

Mr. Jackson
I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave to the right hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South (Mr. Ashley) on 6 November 1989 at column423.

§ Mr. Hannam
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether there are any national guidelines issued to local education authorities governing payment of the disabled students allowance.

Mr. Jackson
The Department issues notes of guidance to local education authorities on the interpretation and application of most aspects of the mandatory awards regulations, including those relating to disabled students. Copies are in the Library.

§ Mr. Hannam
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations his Department has received in 1989 relating to the level of the disabled students grant.

Mr. Jackson
Some formal responses to the White Paper "Top-up Loans for Students" expressed concern about the effect of those proposals on the supplementary allowances which are available with the grant for disabled students. The RNID, responding on behalf of a number of organisations representing the disabled, argued for additional funding, over and above the allowance for disabled students.

§ Mr. Hannam
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what research his Department has carried out or supported to ascertain the extra costs arising from disability faced by disabled students who attend higher education courses.

Mr. Jackson
The student grant rates are reviewed each year in the light of available information about students' circumstances. This comes from a variety of sources, including the series of surveys commissioned by the Department of the income and expenditure of a representative sample of students.