Student Grants (Hansard, 17 March 1987)

§ 15. Mr. Canavan
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many representations he has received over the past 12 months about the level of student grants; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Walden
In the 12 months from March 1986 to February 1987 about 1,850 representations have been received relating in one way or another to the level of student grants. In addition, over 100 organisations or persons have submitted evidence in response to the invitation of the review of student support.

§ 34. Mr. Nicholas Baker
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received on the implications for further education student numbers of the differences in the treatment for taxation purposes of students supported by grants and those supported by parental contributions.

§ Mr. Walden
None.

§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what has been the total cost to the Exchequer of student maintenance grants in each year since 1970 expressed in the following ways (a) cost terms, (b) indexed, using 1979 as 100 (real terms), (c) including fees and (d) real terms (cash).

§ Mr. Walden
[pursuant to his reply, 19 February 1987, c. 746]: The information is as follows:
463W

§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish in the Official Reporta table showing for each year since 1962 (a)the value of student grants inside and outside London, (b)the real value when compared with the rise in retail prices, (c)the real value when compared with the rise in rents/ accommodation costs, (d)the real value when compared with the rise in average earning, (e)the total value of student grants as a percentage of gross domestic product and (f)the real value when compared with the increase in book prices, all indexed using 1962 as a base.

§ Mr. Walden
[pursuant to his reply,25 February 1987, c. 243–244]: The total value of student maintenance¹ in England and Wales as a percentage of the United Kingdom gross domestic product2 has been as follows (item e):

Academicyears Per cent.

³⁴1962–63 0.10

³⁴1963 –64 0.11

⁴1964–65 0.12

⁴1965–66 0.16

⁴1966–67 0.17

⁴1967 –68 0.18

⁴1968 –69 0.19

⁴1969–70 0.17

⁴1970–71 0.17

1971–72 0.17

1972–73 0.15

1973–74 0.14

1974–75 0.15

⁵1975–76 0.16

⁶1976–77 0.17

⁶1977–78 0.18

1978–79 0.18

1979–80 0.18

1980–81 0.19

1981–82 0.19

1982–83 0.19

1983–84 0.19

1984–85 0.17

Notes to Table:

¹ Covers expenditure on mandatory, full-value and lesser-value discretionary awards. Based on revised figures, which include expenditure on teacher training prior to 1969–70; and expenditure on courses in University Departments of Education from 1969–70 to 1974–75.

² GDP based on the academic year.

³ Maintenance expenditure on teacher training has been estimated.

⁴ The maintenance element of expenditure on lesser-value awards has been estimated.

⁵ HND and Dip HE courses became designated courses in 1975–76.

⁶ Up to 1976–77 minimum awards expenditure was included in fees, from 1977–78 it was included in maintenance.

Academicyears	Per cent.
³⁴1962–63	0.10
³⁴1963 –64	0.11
⁴1964–65	0.12
⁴1965–66	0.16
⁴1966–67	0.17
⁴1967 –68	0.18
⁴1968 –69	0.19
⁴1969–70	0.17
⁴1970–71	0.17
1971–72	0.17
1972–73	0.15
1973–74	0.14
1974–75	0.15
⁵1975–76	0.16
⁶1976–77	0.17
⁶1977–78	0.18
1978–79	0.18
1979–80	0.18
1980–81	0.19
1981–82	0.19
1982–83	0.19
1983–84	0.19
1984–85	0.17
Notes to Table:
¹ Covers expenditure on mandatory, full-value and lesser-value discretionary awards. Based on revised figures, which include expenditure on teacher training prior to 1969–70; and expenditure on courses in University Departments of Education from 1969–70 to 1974–75.
² GDP based on the academic year.
³ Maintenance expenditure on teacher training has been estimated.
⁴ The maintenance element of expenditure on lesser-value awards has been estimated.
⁵ HND and Dip HE courses became designated courses in 1975–76.
⁶ Up to 1976–77 minimum awards expenditure was included in fees, from 1977–78 it was included in maintenance.