§ Earl Russellasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are aware of the statement by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Sussex, in his Annual Address to the Court for 1994, that "a relatively high proportion of our students… find it increasingly difficult to support themselves financially", and whether such information gives them any ground for concern.
§ The Minister of State, Department for Education (Baroness Blatch)It is not possible to comment on the Vice Chancellor's statement without seeing the evidence from which his conclusion was drawn. In any event the position at one institution cannot be viewed as representative of the overall UK situation.
The results of the UK-wide Student Income and Expenditure Survey were published last December. They showed, among other things, that the total income of a typical younger student has held steady in recent years, providing a student loan was taken out. Total support for the 1994–95 academic year will increase by 4 per cent., maintaining its value in real terms. Access funds, which assist students in particular financial hardship have been increased by 10 per cent. this year and will be similarly increased for 1994–95.
The noble Earl can be assured that the Government keep the value of student support under constant review.