§ Mr. SwinneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the current level of assessed parental income above which a student becomes eligible for (i) full and (ii) part payment of tuition fees; what plans he has to increase these threshold levels in line with inflation; what estimate he has of the number of students who will390W become eligible for paying in full or in part their tuition fee if the threshold is not increased in line with inflation; and if he will make a statement. [82656]
§ Dr. Reid[holding answer 29 April 1999]: For academic session 1998–99 parents with a residual income (gross income less certain allowable deductions) greater than £27,000 are expected to contribute the full amount towards their children's tuition fees. Parents whose residual income is between £16,945 and £27,000 are expected to make some contribution towards tuition fees, based on a sliding scale. Parents with a residual income of less than £16,944 make no contribution.
In line with previous practice relating to maintenance grants, the income threshold levels have been increased for academic session 1999–2000 by reference to the Retail Prices Index. The increase of 2.5 per cent. was announced on 15 February 1999, Official Report, column 464.
As from 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.