§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to expand maximum allowed student numbers for higher education institutions to accommodate the planned expansion of student numbers towards a participation rate of 50 per cent. of young people. [132665]
§ Mr. Wicks[holding answer 25 July 2000]The additions to publicly planned funding for higher education in 2001–02 are compatible with achieving the Government's goal that 50 per cent. of 18 to 30-year-olds should have the opportunity to benefit from higher education by the end of the decade. Current plans allow for an increase of 21,000 full time equivalent student places between 2000–01 and 2001–02. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment has yet to announce the allocation of funding for higher education for 2002–03 and 2003–04.