§ Mr. ViggersTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will amend the Social Security Benefits (Student Loans and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 1990 to enable students not in receipt of loans to be assessed on their income in order that they may be eligible for free dental and prescription services. [36434]
§ Mr. FieldSince 1990, the student loan has been an integral part of student support. Students are not obliged to take up a loan if they feel no need to do so. However as loans are made available from public funds they cannot be ignored in calculating entitlement to further help from public funds.
Students in receipt of a loan may still be entitled to free NHS dental treatment and prescriptions on low income grounds.