HC Deb 04 December 1986 vol 106 cc744-5W
Mr. Freud

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the changes in rights to higher education grants for mature students over the last five years, and give the dates of orders whereby these were effected.

Mr. Walden

The Education (Mandatory Awards) Regulations do not define a mature student. Students aged 26 or over may be eligible to receive an older students allowance in addition to their basic grant if they satisfy certain conditions. One change has been made to those conditions in the last five years. Until 1 September 1986 students were eligible for the allowance if they had been in full-time employment for three of the six years immediately preceding the start of their course: but students commencing a course after that date must have earned sums totalling at least £12,000 at any time during the three years prior to the course in order to be eligible. This change was effected by the Education (Mandatory Awards) Regulations 1986 (SI No. 1306) which were laid before Parliament on 1 August 1986 and came into operation on 1 September 1986.

Mr. Freud

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many mature students will lose their eligibility to statutory right to a grant for higher education as a consequence of changing the criteria to include remuneration as well as three years of employment; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Walden

Students aged 26 and over may be eligible to receive an older students allowance in addition to their basic grant if they satisfy certain conditions. No students who were receiving the allowance under the arrangements operating before 1 September 1986 will lose their entitlement. Information about the number of students entering higher education since that date who would have qualified for the older students allowance under the previous criteria but who are not now eligible is not available. A number of students who were not eligible before will be under the new arrangements.

Mr. Stanbrook

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish the terms of reference for his inquiry into the funding of undergraduate student support; if they include part-time students; and when he expects it to be completed.

Mr. George Walden

The terms of reference of the student support review areTo review the present arrangements for the financial support of students studying at first degree level or equivalent in Great Britain and to consider the future basis for such support, having regard to:

  1. (i) the situation and the maintenance needs of students, and the extent to which it is appropriate that those needs should be supported from public funds;
  2. (ii) other actual and possible sources of support which would allow the removal of students from the social security system—including the case for a system involving loans as well as grants, and the contribution of sponsorship to the needs of students on vocationally oriented courses;
  3. (iii) the Government's stated policies for higher education and access to it; and
  4. (iv) arrangements made in other countries with developed systems for the financial support of students.

The review will consider the support of part-time students who are studying at first degree level. Its work is expected to be completed next year.