HC Deb 14 November 1984 vol 67 cc238-40W
Mr. Greenway

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement about levels of student grants and parental contributions in 1985–86.

Mr. Brooke

Subject to parliamentary approval, the main rates of student grant will be increased by around 3 per cent. in 1985–86. The parental contribution scale will be adjusted upwards in line with earnings, but contributions from those in the middle and upper reaches of the scale will be increased. The minimum maintenance award will be abolished and parents at the upper end of the scale will also be assessed to contribute towards designated tuition fees. For those families with more than one award-holder there will be a limit on their contribution of £4,000.

The following table compares the proposed parental contribution scale for 1985–86 with the existing scale for 1984–85:

Parental contribution scale
Residual Income

£

 1984–85 Contribution

£

 1985–86 Contribution

£
7,600 20 —
7,800 48 —
8,000 77 —
8,100 91 20
8,200 105 34
8,400 134 62
8,600 162 91
8,800 191 120
9,000 220 148
9,500 291 220
9,700 320 248
10,000 370 291
10,100 386 305
10,200 403 320
10,300 420 334
10,400 436 354
10,500 453 374
11,000 536 474
12,000 703 674
13,000 870 874
14,000 1,036 1,074
15,000 1,203 1,274
15,500 1,286 1,399
16,000 1,370 1,524
17,000 1,536 1,774
18,000 1,703 2,024
19,000 1,870 2,274
20,000 2,036 2,524
21,000 2,203 2,774
22,000 2,370 3,024
23,000 2,536 3,274
24,000 2,703 3,524
25,000 2,870 3,774
*† * †
* Scale continues at £1 for every complete £6 of additional income.
† Scale continues at £1 for every complete £4 of additional income to a maximum contribution of £4,000.

Notes:

  1. 1. For 1985–86 the rate of contribution is assessed at £1 in £7 for residual incomes from £8,100 to £10,300; then £1 in £5 to £15,000; then £1 in £4 thereafter. In 1984–85 the rate of contribution was assessed at £1 in £7 for residual incomes from £7,600 to £9,700; then £1 in £6 thereafter.
  2. 2. The contribution payable may be less than the amounts shown in the scale, particularly at its top end. This will depend on the amount of the award (maintenance and fees) towards which the contribution has to 240 be made and whether any of the assessed contribution is offset by allowances for other dependent children.
  3. 3. In 1985–86 there will be a maximum parental contribution of £4,000 per family which will protect families with more than one award-holder.