§ Mr. Alexander W. Lyonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the number and proportion of young people remaining in full time education after the age of 16 years for each of the past 10 years.
§ Dr. BoysonThe numbers and percentages in full time education in England and Wales are as follows. Owing to the raising of the school leaving age in 1973 these are the only comparable series that can be given.
account of the views of the interested parties, including the National Union of Students, whose submission my right hon. and learned Friend has received this week. When the review is complete, he will be in a position to announce his proposals for the academic year 1980–81.
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is considering the payment of grants to sixth formers; and, if so, how much.
§ Dr. BoysonThe level and payment of grants to sixth formers fall within the discretionary powers of local education authorities. The Government have no plans to change that position either by removing that discretion or by making awards mandatory for this age group.
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list in the Official Report the amount of the student grant for each year since 831W 1970, the percentage increase from one year to the next and the rate of inflation for the year in question.
Academic years (September to August) 1970–71 1971–72 1972–73 1973–74 1974–75 £ £ £ £ £ Standard rate of gram in college or Lodgings— London … … … 420 465 480 520 665 Elsewhere … … … 380 430 445 485 605 At home … … … 305 345 355 390 475 Percentage Percentage Percentage Percentage Percentage Percentage increase over previous year in college or lodgings— London … … … 6.32 10.71 3.22 8.33 27.88 Elsewhere … … … 5.55 13.15 3.48 8.98 24.74 At home … … … 5.17 13.11 2.89 9.85 21.79 Increase in retail price index compared with previous September 7.03 9.89 7.00 9.25 17.10
Academic years (September to August) 1975–76 1976–77 1977–78 1978–79 1979–80 £ £ £ £ £ Standard rate of grant in college or Lodgings— London … … … 810 955 1,145 1,315 1,485 Elsewhere … … … 740 875 1,010 1,100 1.245 At home … … … 570 675 785 870 985 Percentage Percentage Percentage Percentage Percentage Percentage increase over previous year in college or lodgings— London … … … 21.80 17.90 19.89 14.84 12.92 Elsewhere … … … 22.31 18.24 15.2 8.91 13.18 At home … … … 20.00 18.42 16.29 10.82 13.21 Increase in retail price index compared with previous September 26.57 14.30 15.62 7.80 16.48 Over the 10 years the rate of maintenance grant has increased by some 230 per cent., compared with 216 per cent. for the retail price index—RPI. Further information about grant rates and the RPI for the years 1970ߝ71 to 1978–79 and the cumulative percentage increases may be found in Statistics of Education 1977, volume 5, Finance and Awards, table 17.