§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the disregard for bursaries and other payments for students against their assessment of income for the purpose of student support; and what plans he has to amend them. [126769]
§ Mr. Wicks[holding answer 20 June 2000]For the 2000–01 academic year, students can receive bursaries of up to £1,025 a year, plus any amount of other payments that are made for specific educational purposes, such as books and other equipment, before entitlement to support is affected. For most younger students other income of up to £840 a year is also disregarded. The sum disregarded is higher for most mature and independent students at £7,500 a year.
From 2001–02 we plan to change these arrangements to enable low-income students to retain in full the higher bursaries which some colleges are now intending to 335W award, without losing any part of the support they receive for fees and the loan to which they are entitled. Further details will be announced in the Autumn.