§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent assessment she has made on the cost of living for students in the United Kingdom; and if she will make a statement. [11126]
§ Margaret HodgeThe most recent assessment made by my Department was in the Student Income and Expenditure Survey 1998–99, published in December 2000, which was the fourth survey since the series began in 1988–89. This showed that average spending on essential items such as food and accommodation had not risen in real terms since 1995–96 but average spending on clothes and discretionary items such as entertainment had gone up sharply. Student income from all sources had risen since 1995–96 by 12 per cent. in real terms, with greater commercial borrowings, earnings from employment and withdrawal from savings. Since 1998–99 the value of the student loan has continued to be increased annually in line with inflation.