§ Mr. Bryan Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has reached a decision about the revaluation of rates of undergraduate student grants for the academic year 1975–76; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PrenticeMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I have now completed the revaluation of student grants. The main rates of grant to apply for the academic year 1975–76 will be increased as follows: for students living away from home in London from £665 to £810; for students living away from home other than in London from £605 to £740; for students living at home from £475 to £570. Supplementary grants will also be increased.
In addition, a number of changes will be made in the awards arrangements to ensure there is no sex discrimination; to deal with certain anomalies; and to meet the requirements of the Education Act 322W 1975, which extends the scope of mandatory awards. In particular the lower rate of grant for the married woman student living at home with her husband will be abolished and the main rates of grant will apply equally to all students—whether men or women, married or single.
The parental contribution scale will be changed to help parents at the lower end of the income scale. The starting point for the parental contribution will be raised from a residual income of £1,600 to £2,200, and contributions will be reduced for parents with residual incomes in the range from £2,200 to just below £3,400. The scale for the spouse's contribution will be similarly adjusted.
The £50 minimum grant will be retained.
Improvements are also being made to the students' dependants' allowance scheme, which is intended to relieve hardship when students do not qualify for allowances under the main regulations.
Copies of a statement giving full details of the new rates and arrangements are available in the Library of the House.