Student Grants

HC Deb 15 February 1988 vol 127 cc432-3W

Mr. Salmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what provisions he has made for the financial value of student grants to increase so that they will take into account students(a) liability for payment of the poll tax and (b) loss of housing benefit entitlement; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Jackson

Students' liability to pay the community charge, and eligibility to receive housing benefit, are among the many matters which will be taken into account in reaching decisions on future levels of student support from public funds. The main rates of grant for the 1988–89 academic year have already been announced, at column 759 on 18 December 1987.

Mr. Salmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects the student financial support review to report.

Mr. Win Griffiths

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he now expects to publish the student financial support review.

Mr. Jackson

The work of the student support review is expected to be completed by the middle of this year.

Mr. Salmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will indicate for each year since 1977 the value of the maximum student grant, outside London, at constant 1987 prices.

Mr. Jackson

The information is as follows:

Academic Year	"Elsewhere" rate of grant in constant (1987–88) prices
1977–78	2,271
1978–79	2,294
1979–80	2,230
1980–81	2,210
1981–82	2,130
1982–83	2,063
1983–84	2,042
1984–85	2,017
1985–86	1,964
1986–87	1,980
1987–88	1,972

Notes:

1. Repricing is based on the RPI for September each year.

2. For the years 1977–78 to 1983–84 an adjustment has been made to take account of revised arrangements for travel expenses introduced in 1984–85.

Mr. Win Griffiths

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will seek to compensate students through increases in their grant for(a) their loss of housing benefit and (b) their liability for at least 20 per cent. of the poll tax.

Mr. Jackson

All prospective changes in students' financial circumstances will be taken into account in determining future levels of student support.