HC Deb 14 February 2003 vol 400 cc171-2W
Gregory Barker

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what representations his Department has received from(a) higher education institutions and (b) student bodies (i) in favour and (ii) against the introduction of top up fees. [96701]

Margaret Hodge

The Department has received a number of representations from a variety of sources on the question of university fees. Representations before the publication of the White Paper were not, of course, set in the context of our full proposals, including the ability of students to defer fees rather than pay them up front, the continuation of fee remission grant, the introduction of a new additional grant, and the role of the Access Regulator.

Following the launch of the White Paper—"The Future of Higher Education"—we are engaging in a wide-ranging dialogue with those who provide higher education and those who benefit from it. The period for comment will run until 30 April 2003. Following the conclusion of this period, we shall make available a summary of comments on the Department for Education and Skills website.

January Teachers1 Vacancies2 Vacancy rate3(percentage)
1997 4,790 36 0.8
1998 4,860 25 0.5
1999 4,880 38 0.8
2000 4,870 23 0.5
2001 4,840 89 1.8
2002 4,850 84 1.7
1Full-time teachers in post in the maintained schools sector.
2Advertised vacancies for full-time permanent appointments (or appointments of at least one term's duration) in maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special schools. Includes vacancies being filled on a temporary basis.
3Vacancies as a percentage of teachers in post.

Source:

DfES annual 618G survey.