HC Deb 10 November 1997 vol 300 c445W
Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what is his estimate of the annual cost of returning to the full grant system for higher education. [14562]

Dr. Howells

[holding answer 6 November 1997]The cost of returning to a full grant system would be about £29 million in academic year 1998–99 and £180 million in 1999–2000, at 1997–98 prices. This assumes that both student numbers and the levels of parental contribution remain unchanged; that the new arrangements would be introduced for all students; and that the existing loan entitlement would be replaced by a means-tested grant. The savings generated by the new higher education funding arrangements we have announced would also be foregone.