§ Mrs. LiddellTo ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) what are the implications for students of the withdrawal of the mature students allowance starting in the academic session 1995–96;
(2) what sources of finance are available to mature students; and what assessment she has made of the impact on the living standards of such students of the removal of the mature students allowance in 1995–96;
(3) if he will make a statement on the withdrawal of the mature students allowance for students beginning higher education in 1995–96 following the paper "Main Rates of Student Grants and Loans for 1995–96".
§ Mr. BoswellThe older students allowance is currently payable under the Education (Mandatory Awards) Regulations as part of a means-tested mandatory award for eligible students on designated courses. It is not targeted at any specific maintenance need which the student may have and its retention could not be justified in the present financial climate. It remains available to eligible students who are already on their courses, but not to new students starting courses on or after 1 September 1995. A range of other sources of financial support for older students exists depending upon their individual circumstances and the type of course they attend.