§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what representations he has received since August on the future of A Levels. [76493]
§ Mr. MilibandThe Secretary of State has received a number of suggestions that AS Levels be abolished, and that a baccalaureate type system be introduced in place of A Levels.
§ Mr. Damian GreenTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimates she has made of the cost of this year's A-level regrading to her Department. [76783]
§ Mr. MilibandWe have made it clear that universities and higher education colleges will not suffer financial disadvantage as a result of changes to student numbers due to A level regrading. It is, however, too early to determine how much funding individual institutions might need, but the costs are not likely to be high given the relatively small number of students affected.
The A level claims Fund has been established to meet the legitimate costs of students who are able to transfer and students have until 31 January 2003 to apply. The Fund can meet accommodation, books, travel and where necessary tuition fees. We expect the costs falling to the Fund to be small.
A maximum of £105,000 has been set aside for Mike Tomlinson's Inquiry.
§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the implications of the admission of downgraded A-level students to university for the admission of(a) other EU and (b) overseas students. [74666]
§ Margaret Hodge[holding answer 15 October 2002]: All of the 168 UCAS applicants who, as a result of regrading of their A-levels, may now have the necessary grades to make them eligible for transfer to their first or second choice institution. As all are from the UK, and none are from EU countries other than the UK or from overseas, there will be no implication for these students.