§ Mr. Brocklebank-Fowlerasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement concerning the rates of grant for postgraduate studentships for the academic year 1980–81.
§ Mr. Mark Carlisle: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I have now decided on the rates of grant for 1980–81 for postgraduate studentships awarded by the education departments 164W and the research councils. They will be increased as follows :
For students living away from home and attending an establishment in London : from £2,250 to £2,570.
For students living away from home and attending an institution outside London : from £1,820 to £2,090.
For students living in the parental home : from £1,370 to £1,565.
The rates for 1980–81 will on average be 14.7 per cent. higher than the rates for 1979–80. This is the outcome of the assessment of the expected rise in living costs and takes into account increases in student costs since the last triennial review minus an abatement by about five percentage points as a contribution to the Government's policy of restraining public expenditure. The increases are in line with those announced on 27 March for undergraduate students—[Vol. 981, c. 632–3].
There will be an improvement in the older students' allowance payable by the research councils to students who have supported themselves by full-time employment for a total period of at least two years ; and in the postgraduate experience allowance payable by the research councils to students who have obtained at least two years of responsible experience including at least one year since graduating by working full-time in an approved professional capacity. The rates of these allowances will be uprated by amounts varying between £140 and £275. These increases are proportionately higher than the increase in the main grant to encourage students who will normally have had experience in industry.
The income disregard for scholarship and sponsorship payments for postgraduates will also be increased from £500 to £750, thus enabling industry to offer larger inducements to graduates to study science and engineering at higher degree level.
Where other supplementary allowances are applicable to postgraduate students they will be at the rates applicable to undergraduate students announced on 2 April 1980.—[Vol. 982, c. 268.]
The rates of grant for postgraduate and adult education bursaries will be the same as for undergraduate students.