Higher Education Funding

HC Deb 04 March 2003 vol 400 cc953-4W

Mr. Laws

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much was spent on higher education in England, in real terms at 2000–01 prices, in each year from 1989–90 to 2003–04 (planned),(a) in total, and (b) per student; and if he will make a statement. [99822]

Mr. Charles Clarke

The data are shown in the table.

	Puplicly planned funding for higher education in England (£m)1	Unit funding (£)2
1989–90	4,380	7,720
1990–91	4.370	7,030
1991–92	4,640	6,680
1992–93	4,860	6,190
1993–94	5,120	5,850
1994–95	5,370	5,690
1995–96	5.400	5,440
1996–97	5,140	5,080
1997–98	5,040	4,930
1998–99	5,080	4,930
1999–2000	5,290	4,920

	Publicly planned funding for higher education in England (£m)1	Unit funding (£)2
2000–01	5,410	4,860
2001–02	5,680	4,900
2002–03	5,800	4,930
2003–04	6,100	5,080
1Rounded to nearest £10 million.
2 Rounded to nearest £10.

The unit of funding fell by 36 per cent. in real terms between 1989–90 and 1997–98. As a result of the 2002 Spending Review, publicly planned funding will rise by 16 per cent. in real terms by 2005–06 compared to 2002–03; and the unit funding will rise by 7 per cent. in real terms between those years.