§ Mr. CoakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he(a) has taken and (b) proposes to take to inform prospective students of the changes in student and higher education financing. [17589]
§ Dr. HowellsWe have sent leaflets on the new student support arrangements to all schools with sixth forms, sixth form colleges, further and higher education institutions, careers services and student unions. We are running a free telephone helpline to handle enquiries about the arrangements and to respond to requests for further copies of the leaflets. To date, over half a million leaflets have been requested. For mature students, parents and others who might not be aware of our leaflets, we are running national adverts in the press and on the radio to publicise the free phone number. Also, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has written to sixth formers and college students to encourage them to consider higher education in the future and to clear up any misunderstanding that they may have about what we are proposing. In the new year, we shall be issuing the annual student grants and loans booklet, which, amongst other things, will set out the grant and loan rates for 1998–99 and will give more details about the financial contribution expected from parents at differing levels of income.