HC Deb 30 January 1990 vol 166 cc156-8W
44. Mr. Hood

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the average debt expected for a student studying a four-year arts degree at a Scottish university assuming the student loans scheme was in operation and the student was entering the first year of the course in autumn 1990.

Mr. Jackson

A student beginning a four-year degree course in autumn 1990 would repay just under £2,000 over five years from April 1995. This assumes that the RPI increases by 3 per cent. a year on average over the next 10 years, and that there is no deferment of repayments. Repayments will not vary according to the subject of study, or the institution at which the course was undertaken.

46. Mr. Kennedy

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a further statement on progress in establishing revised arrangements for the proposed scheme for studen loans, following his statement of 21 December,Official Report, column 617.

Mr. Jackson

Preparatory work on the student loans scheme is well in hand. As already announced to the House, the Student Loans Company Limited has selected a managing director and has secured premises in Glasgow.

60. Mr. Gerald Bowden

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he expects to make any changes to the present proposed scheme for the repayment of student top-up loans.

Mr. Jackson

None of significance. The withdrawal of the banks means that their branches will no longer be available to handle loan applications, or to counsel borrowers. It does not affect the principles of the scheme, or its administration, in other respects.

72. Mr. Strang

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress he has made towards implementing the student loans scheme.

Mr. Rooker

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress he has made with the student loans scheme; and if he will make a statement.

93. Mrs. Fyfe

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress has been made with the student loans scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Jackson

Preparatory work on the student loans scheme is well in hand. As already announced to the House, the Student Loans Company Limited has selected a managing director and has secured premises in Glasgow.

74. Mr. McAllion

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what research his Department has carried out into the potential impact of his student loans scheme on the numbers of undergraduate students.

Mr. Jackson

A study of different countries' student support systems, including the effect on participation in higher education, was published as Annex C to the White Paper. This concluded thatthere is no direct correlation of either the quantity of support or its form with participation rates".

The Department will be monitoring the effect of top-up loans on student participation.

76. Mrs. Rosie Barnes

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what, if any, studies his Department has undertaken, or has had undertaken on its behalf, into the feasibility of students repaying their maintenance loans through the income tax system; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Jackson

In drawing up proposals for top-up loans for students a wide range of repayment options was considered. I am confident that the Government's scheme represents the most effective means of providing additional resources for students and securing value for money to the taxpayer.

90. Miss Emma Nicholson

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what assessment he has made of the special financial needs of the disabled in formulating his proposals for the introduction of the top-up loan for students.

Mr. Jackson

The top-up loans scheme is designed to provide an additional source of support for all students. The Department is examining the evidence submitted by organisations representing the interests of disabled students, relating to both top-up loans and the present system of student support.

Mr. McFall

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has for the administration of the student loans scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Harry Barnes

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has for the administration of the student loans scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Jackson

I refer the hon. Members to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Aberdeen, South (Mr. Doran).

110. Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what decision has been made on whether supplementary allowances for dependants will be frozen following introduction of student loans.

Mr. Jackson

Supplementary allowances in respect of dependants will continue to be available to all eligible students under the mandatory awards system after the introduction of top-up loans. The rates for 1990–91 are currently being considered and will be announced shortly.

The levels of these allowances for 1991–92 and subsequent years will be considered at the appropriate times in the light of all relevant circumstances, including available resources.

Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will set out the decisions he has made to date on the administration of the student loans scheme, pursuant to the withdrawal of the banks from the administration of the scheme and his statement to the House of 21 December 1989; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Jackson

It remains the Government's intention that, subject to the passage of the Education (Student Loans) Bill, the Student Loans Company Limited will administer the scheme. The Secretaries of State for Education and Science and for Scotland have acquired the company and have appointed directors. The company has selected a managing director and acquired premises. Detailed information about the administration of the scheme will be made public as soon as possible. The principles, objectives and funding of the student loans scheme are not altered by the withdrawal of the banks.