§ Mr. CorbynTo 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.