§ Mr. Ernie RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on changes in the student support and tuition fee arrangements for Scottish domiciled students in session 1989–99. [23983]
§ Mr. WilsonI am publishing today the main rates of loans and maintenance grants payable in 1998–99 to continuing students and new students in full-time higher education. I am also publishing the rates for those postgraduate courses which do not attract students loans, together with the rates for the various supplementary allowances payable to both undergraduate and vocational postgraduate award holders.
The total support available to undergraduate students in 1998–99 through the main rates of maintenance grant and loan, taken together, will be 3 per cent higher than in 1997–98, thus maintaining its value in real terms. Postgraduate maintenance grants and supplementary allowances will be increased by a similar amount.
These changes are consistent with those for England and Wales announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment. Details have been placed in the Library.