HC Deb 20 July 1993 vol 229 c109W
Mr. Cummings

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps his Department is taking to relieve the hardship of students with dependent families over the long summer vacation.

Mr. Boswell

The mandatory awards system provides dependants' allowances covering the summer vacation for eligible students. Local education authorities may make such discretionary award payments as they think fit to students on courses not designated for mandatory awards. Universities and colleges may use their access funds to give additional help to eligible students in particular need during the vacation.