§ Mr. LoveTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what resources will be available for access funds for students in further and higher education institutions in England in 1998–99; and when he proposes to issue new guidance on the use of the funds. [54812]
§ Mr. MudieThe Government are committed to widening participation and improving access to higher education. We are determined that students should have the support they need to take up or stay on courses of 493W higher education. We are making available £56 million through the Access Funds for students in further and higher education in England for the academic year 1998–99. This includes £3 million (£2m in 1998–99 financial year) which we are providing to help remit the fees of part-time under-graduate students who lose their jobs after their course has started.
The total sum is being allocated between the two Funding Councils for England as shown. The allocations take account of adjustments between the higher education access fund and the further education access fund to help part-time higher education students who are studying at further education institutions.
£ million Higher Education Funding Council for England: 45.76 of which: Undergraduate fund 39.44 Postgraduate fund 5.50 Further education fund 0.82 Further education Funding Council: 10.24 Total 56.00