§ Mr. SutcliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what action she is taking to help university students living below the poverty line and not in receipt of social security benefit.
§ Mr. BoswellThe student income and expenditure survey for 1992–93 conducted on behalf of the Department revealed no evidence of widespread student poverty, for those students prepared to take the concessionary student loans on offer. The total support available through the main rates of grant and loan will increase by 2.5 per cent. for the 1995–96 academic year. Income support and housing benefit continue to be available to students in certain vulnerable groups. The access funds, which will be increased by about £1 million to around £28 million for 1995–96, can provide additional assistance to full-time students in particular need.