HC Deb 11 June 1990 vol 174 cc22-3W
Mr. Andrew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will estimate when the loan element will reach 50 per cent. of student maintenance assuming current inflation figures.

Mr. Jackson

If inflation were to remain at 9.4 per cent. and the total student support from grant (including any parental contribution) and loan were to be increased in line with inflation while the cash value of the grant remained constant, the average maximum loan facility would equal the average maximum basic rate of grant in the academic year 1996–97. The Government's forecast of inflation for the last quarter of 1990 is 7.25 per cent.

Mr. Andrew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will update his reply to the hon. Member for Oxford, East, of 18 December 1989,Official Report, columns 36–40, estimating the public sector borrowing requirement effect of the student loans scheme for each year for which figures are available assuming 80 per cent., 90 per cent. and 100 per cent. take-up.

Mr. Jackson

Present estimates of the public sector borrowing requirement effect of the student loans scheme are as announced on 18 December 1989 (Official Report, columns 36–40). The estimates are being revised to take account of new data, including the latest estimates of student numbers, and will be published in due course.