Mr. BowlsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the basis for assessing maintenance needs of mature students(a) on higher education courses and (b) on further education courses, when such students are eligible for grants; and if he will consider extending the student loan system to mature students in the further education sector.
§ Mr. Alan HowarthMandatory grants are payable for full-time and sandwich courses leading to a first degree or
204Wpremises costs. Your letter of 8 October preferred a further transfer to the Research Councils to allow them to cover these costs as part of the percentage addition to the direct staffing costs of research projects.
I have considered this issue carefully, and have decided that for the time being these costs should remain with the institutions. I noted the evidence that there is considerable diversity in the provision of computing services, with a tendency away from the main frame computing towards distributed systems. I would, however, like this particular issue to be looked at again in two years time as part of the first review of the percentage addition for indirect costs.
Next Steps
Although I am making no earmarked allocations this year, and will be grateful to receive the Board's advice on the allocation of the increased resources, I shall be looking to the scientific community to use the resources generally in accordance with the priorities that were identified in the evidence put to me earlier in the public spending round.
Since science funding is a matter of considerable Parliamentary and public interest, I propose to follow precedent by publishing the text of this letter in the form of a Parliamentary Answer.
a comparable qualification, to the HND and DipHE, and for courses of initial teacher training including part-time courses. Under the Education (Mandatory Awards) Regulations a student who is at least 25 before his course begins is treated as "independent" and no parental contribution is expected towards his maintenance. A student who is at least 26 at the beginning of his course and who, in the three immediately preceding years, had income of at least £12,000 is eligible to receive the older student's allowance of up to £935 a year. Various other allowances in respect of spouses and dependants are available to all students depending upon their personal circumstances.
205WThe resources of the student, and, where applicable, of his spouse and dependants are taken into account in the calculation of the maintenance grant payable.
For most courses not attracting a mandatory award, including further education courses, local education authorities have the power to make discretionary awards. It is for each authority to decide its own policies on the courses for which it will offer awards and on the amounts payable. Arrangements for mature students differ among the various postgraduate award schemes.
We have no plans to extend the student loans scheme to further education students.