§ Mr CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what percentage of students from families resident in each government office region were(a) exempt from tuition fees, (b) paying less than full tuition fees and (c) paying no fees at all in the academic year 2002–03 [80047]
§ Margaret HodgeData on contributions towards the cost of tuition by government office region for academic year 2002–03 are not available.
§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will place in the Library the research analysis that led to his conclusion that a graduate had lifetime earnings £400,000 greater than non-graduates; from which period these data were gathered; whether the sum stated is gross or net of tax; and if he will estimate the sum(a) gross and (b) net of tax. [80065]
§ Margaret HodgeThe relevant data come from the four quarters Autumn 2000 to Summer 2001 in the Labour Force Survey. The £400,000 figure is gross, and is consistent with conventional practice used by ONS when quoting earnings figures. The equivalent figure, net of income tax, national insurance and other contributions, is around £250,000. For the avoidance of doubt, £400,000 is the earnings premium of a graduate over that of the national average rather than for a non-graduate. The premium over a non-graduate would be significantly higher.