§ Mr. ÖpikTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to extend the mandatory disabled student allowance to postgraduate students who are not registered for PGCE qualifications. [27501]
§ Dr. HowellsThe Disabled Students' Allowances are part of the mandatory awards system and as such are available to those receiving mandatory awards who are also disabled. Mandatory awards apply to full-time first degree courses and to the post-graduate certificate of education.
The National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education (the Dearing Committee) recommended the extension of eligibility to part-time students, to postgraduates and to those who have become disabled since taking a first degree and who now wish to obtain a different first degree level qualification. These recommendations are currently being considered and we hope to make an announcement later this year.
The Government are sympathetic to the needs of disabled students. We have already announced the ending of means-testing for disabled students' allowances and have also increased the rates payable, including doubling the non-medical personal helpers' allowance.
§ Mr. ÖpikTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to support students with disabilities with the costs directly associated with their disabilities on postgraduate legal practice courses. [27502]
§ Dr. HowellsDisabled people, including those on postgraduate Legal Practice Courses, may be entitled to support from the Benefits Agency. We are still considering a recommendation from the National294W Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education (the Dearing Committee) about extending the Disabled Students' Allowances to postgraduate students.