§ Ms KellyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what support is available for carers who wish to enter further or higher education; and if he will make a statement; [70794]
(2) what is the maximum educational award available to (a) a carer in receipt of invalid care allowance, (b) a disabled student and (c) students released from employment; [70795]
(3) how the fact that invalid care allowance is a taxable benefit affects the assessment of a carer's entitlement to an educational award and its value; [70796]
(4) if carers in receipt of invalid care allowance have to pay tuition fees; [70797]
(5) if carers in receipt of invalid care allowance are entitled to receive a maintenance grant when entering higher education. [70799]
§ Mr. MudieSomeone with caring responsibilities who is in full-time higher education is, subject to personal eligibility, entitled to support towards tuition fees and living costs on the same basis as other students. For students entering before 1998–99, 50 per cent. of that support was available as grant and 50 per cent. as student loan, and students were not required to contribute to their710W tuition fees. From 1998–99 most new entrants are liable for a contribution to their tuition costs, according to their ability to pay. From 1999–2000, the support available to new entrants will be in the form of 100 per cent. loans.
Currently, the first £3,030 of any Invalid Care Allowance is disregarded in assessing the support available. If the person being cared for is financially dependent on the student, the student may also be eligible for a Dependants Allowance of up to £2,025. Additional support may be available through the Access Funds and the Hardship Loans.
The maximum maintenance support available to full-time students in higher education will depend upon the student's personal circumstances. For most students living away from the parental home, the maximum support available through grant and loan is currently £3,545. Disabled students are eligible for additional grants as follows:
- (a) in respect of a non-medical personal helper, up to £10,000 annually
- (b) in respect of major items of specialist equipment as the authority consider appropriate, up to £3,955 for the duration of the course
- (c) in respect of any other expenditure, up to £1,315 annually.
Someone who is a carer wishing to enter further education will be eligible for the range of support available to all students in that sector. This support has been transformed from September 1999 so that it is more evenly distributed across the country and better targeted on those most in need. Provision will be mostly through an expanded access fund administered by colleges, which will provide assistance for such expenditure items as travel, fees, books and equipment. There will be additional support available for child care and for those need to study away from home. Colleges when considering individual applications for access funds will take account of other sources of support, including benefits and allowances. It is up to each college to determine the level of payment appropriate to the individual circumstances of the student concerned. Most students over age 18 will be liable to pay tuition fees, but students no in employment are generally exempt and there is further discretion to assist other groups.