HC Deb 09 July 1986 vol 101 cc173-4W
Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the availability and take-up of discretionary awards for 16 to 18-year-olds in full-time education in Scotland, with special reference to the proportion of students in receipt of an award and the average value of awards granted, for each of the last three years.

Mr. Allan Stewart

Education authorities in Scotland may at their discretion make awards to young people aged 16 and over to enable them to undertake courses of full-time education. In general, assistance is given in respect of courses other than those at first degree or postgraduate level, which attract awards from the Scottish Education Department.

In determining the amount payable in any particular case, education authorities must apply the rates and scales prescribed in the Education Authority Bursaries (Scotland) Regulations 1985.

A higher school bursary may be awarded to young persons aged 16 and over who stay on at school. Those who leave school and undertake full-time courses at further education establishments may be awarded a category A bursary (if aged 16 or 17) or a category B bursary (if aged 18 or over).

The following table sets out for each type of bursary the number and percentage of young people assisted and the average awards granted in each of the last three years for which the information is available.

Year Number of awards Total number at school aged 16 and over Percentage of column 3 assisted Average value of awards granted
£
I Higher school bursaries
1982–83 7,669 73,700 10.4 377
1983–84 8,241 72,317 11.4 386
1984–85 8,261 70,876 11.7 412

Year Number of awards Total number at school aged 16 and over Percentage of column 3 assisted Average value of awards granted
£
II Further education bursaries category A (16 and 17)
1982–83 7,235 26,900 26.9 504
1983–84 7,294 24,600 29.7 514
1984–85 7,743 24,600 31.5 535
III Further education bursaries category B (age 18 and over)
1982–83 9,444 26,900 35.1 1,292
1983–84 10,562 24,600 42.9 1,420
1984–85 10,736 24,600 43.6 1,464

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