§ Jackie BallardTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of further education students received help with child care costs through access funds in 1999–2000 and 1998–99. [98671]
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§ Mr. WicksWe estimate that in 1998–99 around four per cent. of students with a dependent child received help with child care costs from the FE Access Fund or from the Further Education Funding Council tariff scheme, which provided approximately 18,000 students with free child care. In 1999–2000 the FE Access Fund will be increased almost four-fold to £36 million and the FEFC direct child care support will be boosted by an additional –5 million. No figures are yet available for 1999–2000 on numbers of students assisted.