§ Mr. StrawTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the total amount of access funds available to(a) universities, polytechnics and institutions of higher education and (b) institutions of further education, for each academic year since the inception of the scheme; and what will be available for the 1992–93 academic year.
§ Mr. PattenDetails of the access funds made available for higher and further education institutions in England since the inception of the scheme in 1990–91 are as follows:
Academic year 1990–91 Academic year 1991–92 £ million £ million (a) Universities, polytechnics and colleges of higher education 18.1 18.7 (b) Colleges of further education 4.2 4.31 TOTAL 22.3 23.01 Details for 1992–93 will be announced shortly.
§ Mr. StrawTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the access funds made available to institutions of further and higher education.
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Non-departmental public body Audit arrangements Method of tendering contract Duration Executive Business and Technical Education Council Private firm: Binder Hamlyn Renewal subject to AGM review 1 year Central Bureau for Educational Visits and Exchanges Private firms; Internal audit: Ernst & Young External audit: Knox Kropper Competitive tender No set period Centre for Information on Language Teaching and Research Private firm: Buzzacott & Co. Competitive tender 1 year Council for National Academic Awards1 Private firm: Price Waterhouse Not tendered Continuous Education Assets Board NAO2 Further Education Unit Private firm: Chantrey Vellocott Renewal subject ot AGM review 1 year National Council for Educational Technology Private firm: Kidsons Impey Renewal subject to AGM review 1 year Higher Education Funding Council (England) NAO National Curriculum Council NAO National Youth Association Private firm: Peat Marwick McLintock Currently not tendered—from 1993 competitve tender 3 years
§ Mr. PattenThe present access funds will meet their purpose if properly targeted to genuinely needy students.
§ Mr. StrawTo ask the Secretary of State for Education how many students have applied for assistance from access funds during academic years 1990–91 and 1991–92; how many were successful; what was the average amount of assistance per individual given as(a) grant and (b) repayable loan; and what were the main criteria used.
§ Mr. PattenThe information is not available in the form requested. For the academic year 1991–92, the information will not be available until later in the year.
Information so far available in respect of academic year 1990–91 is that approximately 70,000 higher education students, or 12 per cent. of all eligible students, received a payment from either the HE or postgraduate access funds; more than 15,500 students, or 18 per cent. of all eligible students, received a payment from the FE access funds; payments averaged just under £200 for undergraduates and about £600 for postgraduates; the average payment for FE students was just over £225.
The purpose of the funds is to provide financial help to students who face real financial difficulties, for whatever reason. Institutions are free to devise their own criteria provided they are consistent with these requirements and are in line with the general guidance and conditions by the funding councils and, in the case of FE funds, the Department.