HC Deb 06 November 2002 vol 392 cc416-7W
Mr. Damian Green

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skill what definition of higher education is used in the context of his Department's target of increasing participation in higher education towards an entry rate of 50 per cent. of 18 to 30-year-olds by 2010. [78381]

Margaret Hodge

[holding answer 31 October 2002]: Progress towards the target is measured by the number of first time entrants to higher education aged 18–30, as a proportion of the relevant population. The target covers all courses of one year or more above A level and its equivalents that lead to a recognised higher education qualification.

Mr. Damian Green

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what projections he has made of the proportion of 18 to 30-year-olds who will experience higher education courses in each year until 2010. [78382]

Margaret Hodge

[holding answer 31 October 2002]: A wide range of alternative scenarios, based on different assumptions about the future impact of current policies on demand for higher education are being considered. At this stage we are confident that there will be sufficient growth in demand from young people with the appropriate entry qualifications for higher education to enable us to reach the 50 per cent. target. Provisional figures suggesting a 2 per cent. increase in the number of home domiciled UCAS accepted applications this autumn to UK higher education institutions, shows we are continuing to make progress.

Alan Simpson

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what evidence the Government collated on the impact of introducing top-up fees for students on access to higher education, with special reference to foreign examples; [78693]

(2) how she plans to consult students on the review of higher education. [78694]

Margaret Hodge

We will publish a strategy document in January setting out our vision for the development and reform of higher education, including the outcome of the student support review. As part of the review we are considering a wide range of evidence but we clearly cannot pre-empt the strategy document at this stage. Information on how interested parties can respond to the document will be made available when it is published.