Assisted Places Scheme (Hansard, 28 February 1996)

§ Mr. Raymond S. Robertson

The assisted places scheme has been an important element in the Government's policies to extend choice in Scottish education, and to raise quality and standards. It provides the opportunity for parents to choose the education which they think best suits the needs of their children, regardless of their financial circumstances. Since the scheme was introduced in 1981, it has helped over 11,000 children to attend independent schools in Scotland who would not otherwise have had the opportunity.

My right hon. Friend's announcement on 13 October 1995 of plans for a phased doubling of the present annual target of 3,000 assisted places in Scotland has received a very positive response from parents and schools. This clearly confirms the success of the scheme and the benefits to be derived from it. In line with our expansion plans, my right hon. Friend is making provision to increase the number of pupils who benefit in 1996–97 to around 3,500 and this will include for the first time pupils of primary school age. Fifty-three schools across Scotland 603W will participate in the scheme. It is possible that one or more additional schools may become eligible to participate later in 1996–97. Some £12.48 million will be available for fee remission in the 1996–97 school session, almost 17 per cent. more than was made available for the 1995–96 session.

The increased resources being made available for the 1996–97 school session mark the first phase of expansion of the scheme, and will ensure its growing contribution to excellence and diversity in Scottish education. My right hon. Friend will also be drawing up proposals in consultation with the Scottish Council of Independent Schools and others for the future development and expansion of the scheme.

My right hon. Friend announced in December 1995 that assistance will now be extended to pupils undertaking primary education at participating secondary schools with integrated primary departments. The minimum age for assistance, previously 10 years of age, will therefore be lowered to five years of age from the start of the 1996–97 session.

My right hon. Friend proposes in due course to lay regulations before the House providing for progressive parental contributions for the 1996–97 school session for one pupil assisted under the assisted places scheme. As in previous years, we shall be seeking to ensure that about half of all pupils receiving an assisted place should receive full remission of their fees. Accordingly, parents earning less than £9,873 a year will not have to pay anything towards fees. The regulations will provide for the following contributions in relation to family income:

Part of relevant income to which the specified percentage applies	Parental contribution (percentage)
That part (if any) which exceeds £9,707 but does not exceed £10,555	9
That part (if any) which exceeds £10,555 but does not exceed £11,417	12
That part (if any) which exceeds £11,417 but does not exceed £13,127	15
That part (if any) which exceeds £13,127 but does not exceed £15,760	21
That part (if any) which exceeds £15,760 but does not exceed £19,194	24
That part (if any) which exceeds £19,194	33

The relevant income scale is open-ended, but the remission can, of course, be given only where the parental contribution is less than the school tuition fee.