§ Mr. PawseyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the repayment terms of top-up for students on longer courses.
§ Mr. MacGregorI am now able to announce that the Government intend that the repayment period for students on courses that are longer than four years should be initially seven years. The standard repayment period for other students will be initially five years. This will ensure that repayments are manageable for students on courses longer than four years, who will build up larger liabilities during their courses. As the scheme develops and loans increase in real terms the standard repayment period will be extended: the repayment period for those on longer courses will similarly be extended.