§ Mr. Andrew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will estimate the cost of increasing the level of student grants by(a) 1 per cent., (b) 5 per cent. and (c) 10 per cent.
§ Mr. Alan HowarthI have already announced the intention for 1991–92 to hold the main rates of grant payable under the Education (Mandatory Awards) Regulations steady in cash terms at their current values. Increases in student support are now provided primarily by increases in the student loan facility. Total full-year support from grant and loan combined in the current academic year is 25 per cent. higher than grant alone last year.
The cost in the 1992–93 financial year of raising the main rates of grant, assuming that parental contributions would continue to be held steady in cash terms, would be as follows:
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- raise by 1 per cent.—£13 million
- raise by 5 per cent.—£58 million
- raise by 10 per cent.—£116 million.
§ Mr. Andrew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of students have been assessed for the maximum parental contribution student maintenance grant; and what proportion of students in receipt of awards have received the maximum grant in each year since 1978–79.
§ Mr. Alan HowarthData are not available in the form requested. The maximum parental contribution was introduced for the 1985–86 academic year and applies in aggregate if the parent has more than one child who holds an award. The maximum parental contribution has been set as follows:
£ 1985–86 4,000 1986–87 4,300 1987–88 4,600 1988–89 4,900 1989–90 5,300 1990–91 5,800 The maximum parental contribution will be held steady in cash terms for 1991–92 in line with our new arrangements for student support.
§ Mr. Andrew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the average parental contribution of those assessed for a contribution for each year since 1978–79 in (i) cash terms and (ii) real terms, indexed so that 1978–79 equals 100.
§ Mr. Alan HowarthIt is not possible to give the average parental contribution only for those parents assessed as being liable for a contribution. The table shows the average parental contribution assessed under the Education (Mandatory Awards) Regulations for all award holders, including those whose contribution was assessed at nil.
At 1978–79 prices Academic year Contribution cash (£) £ Index 1978–79 275 275 100 1979–80 256 220 80 1980–81 288 213 78 1981–82 352 234 85 1982–83 414 257 93 1983–84 437 258 94 1984–85 587 331 120 1985–86 720 383 139 1986–87 764 394 143 1987–88 817 405 147 1988–89 860 403 146 The constant price and index figures have been calculated using the retail prices index.