§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the number of full-time students in households where(a) Income Support and (b) disability benefits are paid; and in how many cases in each year since 1997–98 the attribution of the value of loans, grants and bursaries has occurred. [142326]
§ Mr. PondNo information is available for disability benefits. However, Disability Living Allowance is not an income related benefit, and is therefore payable to anyone who meets the criteria, including students.
The figures for numbers of students on income support are not available. The available information for students in receipt of a student loan and income support is in the table.
Great Britain, Income Support benefit units with income recorded from a student loan at May each year from 2000–03 Number of benefit units 2000 500 2001 1,000 2002 1,000 2003 1,400 Notes:
1. Figures have been rounded to the nearest hundred.
2. Based on 5 per cent. sample and therefore subject to sampling variation.
3. Benefit units refers to cases with either the claimants and/or partner (if they have one) receiving income from a student loan.
4. Information is not available prior to 2000.
Source:
IAD Information Centre, 5 per cent sample.
§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what changes he proposes to make to the social security rules compelling full-time students in households reliant on benefits to take out or be deducted the full value of grants, loans and bursaries, in the light of the Government's proposals for higher education funding. [142331]
§ Mr. PondThe benefit rules are regularly updated in order to take account of changes to the student support system. We will continue to ensure that any payments in respect of fees and course-related expenses are disregarded in assessing benefits while ensuring that the benefits and student support systems do not duplicate each other in providing for maintenance costs.