§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science which categories of students aged 19 years and over are not eligible for mandatory grants; how many students are involved; and what percentage of all students this represents.
§ Mr. OakesStudents taking the following courses below postgraduate level in England and Wales are not eligible for mandatory awards:
- (i) part-time courses (except for certain teacher training courses);
- (ii) non-advanced courses;
- (iii) most courses at independent establishments;
- (iv) a small number of advanced courses not designated for mandatory awards.
It is estimated that of the home students aged 19 and over taking full-time or sandwich courses in grant-aided establishments in England and Wales—or in universities in Scotland—in 1977–78, 85,000 —some 20 percent.—were on non advanced courses or on advanced courses not designated for mandatory awards. Some of these held discretionary awards from local education authorities and 499W others received support from other bodies —for example, industrial training boards and the Manpower Services Commission.
In addition, some students attending designated courses are not eligible for mandatory awards. They include students who were not ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom for the three years before their courses, those who have previously attended certain types of course and some whose applications for awards were not made within the time limit. Their numbers are not known.
§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will publish a table, with figures at current and at 1978 prices, comparing the total value of income maintenance, grant,
Percentage that parental income represents of average earned income of male manual workers aged 21 or more Approximate income in financial year* (£)1961–62 revalued to1977–78 Maintenance grant less assessed parental; contribution in academic year † (£) 1962–63 revalued to1978–79 1961–62 prices‡ 1977–78 1962–63 prices§ 1978–79 75 per cent. 600 2,200 2,900 320 1,211 1,100 100 per cent. 800 2,900 3,800 304 1,150 1,065 200 per cent. 1,600 5,800 7,600 236 893 550 300 per cent. 2,400 8,700 11,400 156 590 233 * Parental contributions towards grants current in an academic year are assessed on income during the previous financial year. † Excluding elements for excess travel, special equipment etc. Assuming no disregards for mortgage, younger children etc. ‡ That is, the previous column adjusted to take account of the rise in the General Index of Retai Prices between January 1962 and January 1978. § That is, the previous column adjusted to take account of the rise in the General Index of Prices between September 1962 and September 1978. Mandatory award holders with parents whose incomes were those shown in the table also had their fees paid in both years, but these varied between types of course and between institutions.
The child tax allowance for the students was £150 in the financial year 1962– 63—equivalent to £567 at 1978–79 prices on the basis of footnote (4) above —and £165 in the financial year 1978– 79 The value of this allowance to parents depends upon the tax rate that they pay, which in turn depends upon individual circumstances.
This information cannot be given for discretionary awards since the local education authorities are free to decide the rates of grant, which therefore vary.