HC Deb 17 February 1976 vol 905 c617W
Mrs. Wise

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what changes have recently taken place in regulations concerning student grants in relation to married students.

Mr. Gerry Fowler

The following changes were made in the awards regulations for the current academic year:

  1. (i) The lower rate of grant for married women was abolished, and married women students living with their husbands in their own home became entitled to the same rate of grant as married men;
  2. (ii) the age at which married women students cease to be subject to a parental contribution was raised to the same level (25) as for married men and single students;
  3. (iii) married women students became eligible to claim dependants' allowances on the same basis as married men; and
  4. (iv) the dependants' allowances payable to married students were, except for certain disregards, made subject to a deduction in respect of the spouse's earnings.