Student Benefits (Hansard, 19 June 1990)

§ Mr. Vaz
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many representations he has received concerning the proposals to remove students from income support, unemployment benefit and housing benefit; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mrs. Gillian Shephard
Representations have been received from a number of individuals and organisations, including the National Union of Students and other organisations representing students' interests, the all-party disablement group, the Royal National Institute for the Deaf, the British Dyslexia Association and the Dyslexia Educational Trust.

§ Mr. Andrew Smith
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the circumstances in which he would consider reinstating student entitlement to housing benefit.

§ Mrs. Gillian Shephard
The Government's view is that students should generally be supported by the educational maintenance system and not social security benefits, although students in vulnerable groups will retain eligibility for housing benefit and income support. The introduction of student loans and the creation of the access funds will result in an increase in student support of well over £100 million in the 1990–91 academic year. The operation and adequacy of these new funding arrangements will be kept under review.

§ Mr. Andrew Smith
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to monitor the impact the withdrawal of entitlement to housing benefit will have on the income of students attending institutions of higher education in areas of high-cost rented accommodation.

§ Mrs. Gillian Shephard
The Government are considering a further survey of students' income and expenditure following the introduction of student loans and withdrawal of benefits from most full-time students. In addition, we will be monitoring the operation and adequacy of the access funds.

§ Mr. Andrew Smith
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the Social Security Advisory Committee reports on Government proposals to withdraw524W student entitlement to social security benefits are to be published; and when the Government plans to respond to the reports.

§ Mrs. Gillian Shephard
We are giving careful consideration to the report of the Social Security Advisory Committee on draft regulations to implement our policy on students' benefit entitlement. The report will be published when that consideration has been completed.

§ Mr. Andrew Smith
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what external advice his Department has received on the legal status of his proposals to withdraw entitlement to unemployment benefit for students who have made national insurance contributions.

§ Mrs. Gillian Shephard
We are satisfied, following legal advice, that we have the necessary statutory powers.

§ Mr. Andrew Smith
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he plans to publish the regulations cancelling student entitlement to housing benefit and social security.

§ Mrs. Gillian Shephard
We are currently considering the implications of amendments to the Social Security Bill carried in the House of Lords, and we will make an announcement about timing of regulations in due course.