§ Mr. Damian GreenTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what his estimate is of the cost of plans for remission of tuition and top-up fees for universities in financial years(a) 2003–04, (b) 2004–05 and (c) 2005–06. [137165]
§ Alan JohnsonThe cost to the Government of the public contribution to existing tuition fee remission arrangements for home and EU undergraduate students at institutions in England is estimated at:
Financial year £ million 2003–04 456 2004–05 467 2005–06 479
§ Paul FarrellyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) in what circumstances the ability of universities to charge top-up fees will be withdrawn; and by what process; [137240]
(2) how he proposes to address the funding consequences of universities which have their ability to charge top-up fees withdrawn. [137556]
§ Alan JohnsonWe expect most access agreements to work satisfactorily. Where OFFA has concerns about an agreement, it will raise these formally with the institution. If these concerns are not addressed, OFFA will ask the institution what further actions it proposes. 229W If OFFA remains unsatisfied, the sanctions available will include withholding approval for an institution to charge variable fees, when the access agreement comes up for renewal or, where urgent action is needed, informing the institution that it intends to impose a financial penalty. The institution will bear the financial consequences of any breaches.
§ Paul FarrellyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what assessment his Department has made of the impact of the introduction of his proposed variable tuition fees regime on each university in England and Wales in respect of(a) social access, (b) the mix of courses offered, (c) employment patterns and (d) the balance of teaching and research undertaken; [137296]
(2) what assessment he has made of the potential impact of variable tuition fees on (a) science courses and (b) arts courses. [137300]
§ Alan JohnsonIt will be for higher education institutions themselves to decide what level of fees they set for each of their courses from 2006/07 onwards, subject to a maximum fee of £3,000. I would expect them to consider a range of factors in doing so, including the likely impact of their decisions. The Office for Fair Access must approve an access agreement, including arrangements for bursaries and outreach, before an institution can charge higher fees. It will also monitor the agreements and, if necessary, take proportionate sanctions in the unlikely event of a serious breach. Since decisions on fee levels have yet to be taken, it is not feasible to assess their impact, either on individual universities or subjects. However, the additional income from variable fees will boost universities' power to develop high-quality, greater and more flexible provision and to widen access to higher education.
§ Mr. Nicholas BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate he has made of the number of university courses that are likely to charge the maximum fee after 2006/07. [137651]
§ Alan JohnsonIt will be for higher education institutions themselves to decide what level of fees they set for each of their courses from 2006/07 onwards, subject to a maximum fee of £3,000 and approval of their access agreements by the Office of Fair Access.