§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much was paid to students in the 1991 summer vacation following the decision to restore 10 per cent. of access funding to students facing hardship; what plans he has to take similar steps this year; how much was saved by his Department over the past year following the abolition of benefits previously paid to students; how much has been allocated in 1992 for access funds; how many claimants previously qualifed for and claimed benefits; and how many are in receipt of access funds.
§ Mr. BurtChanges to the benefit arrangements for students were introduced alongside the enhanced support available through the educational maintenance system.
The reduction in expenditure on income support and housing benefit was estimated to be £91 million for the 1990–91 academic year.
There were some 135,000 claims for income support from students during the summer vacation in 1989, the most recent date for which information is available. Data for August 1990 indicate that 19,000 students were in receipt of housing benefit during the summer vacation immediately before the benefit changes were introduced.
Matters relating to access funds are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education and Science.
Sources: Special Exercise to record all student claims for Income Support during the 1989 summer vacation.The Housing Benefit and Community Charge Benefit Management Information System quarterly stock count for August 1990.