§ Paul FarrellyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what his estimate is of the average debt medical students will face when they qualify as doctors if they are charged the maximum tuition fee per year. [137216]
§ Alan JohnsonAverage additional debt for medical students as a result of being charged the maximum variable fee of £3,000 per year from 2006/07 will depend on whether they receive a higher education grant or a bursary from university; and whether they use these sums to offset fees. Currently students who are not eligible for means-tested grants for fees pay £1,125 contributions to fees. Over the four years when this Department is responsible for medical students' support, the maximum increase in support would be £1,875 per year, totalling an additional £7,500, to meet the difference. Poorer medical students will in addition be eligible for HE grants of up to £1,000 per year and university bursaries which will reduce their costs and hence their extra debt.
The level of loan taken out by medical students will depend upon their individual circumstances and choices, including the extent to which they work while in higher education. In years five and six they currently pay no contribution to fees and are eligible for means tested NHS bursaries, which helps to keep down the level of debt. Medical students on graduation should have better prospects of secure employment and of higher salaries than the typical graduate and will therefore pay off their loans faster.
§ Paul FarrellyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions he has had with Ministerial colleagues from other Departments in respect of increasing proposed tuition fee remission levels for students from poorer backgrounds. [139165]
§ Alan JohnsonThe Secretary of State has had a number of discussions with colleagues across Government on all aspects of his proposals for financing higher education.