Student Support (Hansard, 2 November 2001)

§ Dr. Evan Harris
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what further response to the sixth report from the Select Committee on Education and Employment she plans to publish on the Government's commitment to a review of student support arrangements. [11040]

§ Margaret Hodge
[holding answer 1 November 2001]: The Government have responded to the Education and Employment Select Committee's sixth report on student retention and has since announced a review of student funding. Any reforms emerging for the review will build on the new arrangements for student support introduced by the Government in 1998. It will be conducted in the context of our goal to get 50 per cent. of people under 30 896W into Higher Education by 2010, our ambition to expand access to HE from under-represented groups, and our continuing concern to deliver excellence in the HE system. We are, therefore, reviewing the balance between state funding and the contributions made by students and their families. A wide range of options is being considered and no decision is likely to be announced on the proposals until next year.

§ Mr. Willis
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will publish the(a) terms of reference, (b) names of participating groups or individuals and (c) the time scale of the proposed review of student support arrangements; and if she will make a statement. [10954]

§ Margaret Hodge
The Government are reviewing our student funding policy. Any reforms emerging from the review will build on the new arrangements for student support introduced by the Government in 1998. It will be conducted in the context of our goal to get 50 per cent. of people under 30 into Higher Education by 2010, our ambition to expand access to HE from under-represented groups, and our continuing concern to deliver excellence in the HE system. We are, therefore, reviewing the balance between state funding and the contributions made by students and their families. A wide range of options is being considered and no decision is likely to be announced on the proposals until next year. We have said that we plan to consult on any proposals for change that emerge from the review.