HC Deb 19 April 2004 vol 420 cc50-1W
Jon Trickett

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps his Department has taken to ensure the smooth transition from the present arrangements for applications for student loans through local education authorities to the new system of Student Finance Direct; and if he will make a statement. [164633]

Alan Johnson

Student Finance Direct retains the role of LEAs, which receive and assess applications from students, and the Student Loans Company (SLC), which pays them. They will both now be supported by a new IT system to carry out those functions.

My officials and the SLC, which is in the lead in developing and implementing the new system, have taken a number of steps to help LEAs with the transition. They have sought LEA views on, and involved LEA staff directly in, the design and implementation of the new system. Most importantly, following the principles recommended in the report by Ian McCartney MP, "Successful IT: Modernising Government in Action", the system was piloted in six LEAs in 2003. The lessons learned have been fed into the system that will be used nationally this year. The SLC will have appropriate contingency arrangements in place to deal with any problems.

Mr. Sheerman

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will extend the student loan system to British students wishing to undertake their entire undergraduate degree in another EU member state. [164849]

Alan Johnson

We have no plans to do so. It has been longstanding policy to provide student support for maintenance to British students attending designated courses wholly provided by UK educational institutions maintained or assisted by recurrent grants out of public funds or provided by such institutions in conjunction with institutions outside the UK; and courses of higher education specifically designated by the Secretary of State.

Mr. Lazarowicz

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what discussions he has had with Scottish Ministers regarding arrangements to ensure students from England who attend higher education institutions in Scotland are not disadvantaged in terms of(a) fee liability and (b) living costs from 2006; [164891]

(2) what discussions he has had with Scottish Ministers regarding arrangements for students from Scotland to study medicine in higher education institutions in England after 2006; [164894]

(3) what discussions he has had with Scottish Ministers regarding assistance for (a) fee costs and (b) living costs for Scottish students studying in England from 2006. [164895]

Alan Johnson

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Skills and I have quarterly meetings with Scottish Ministers, in which these issues are discussed.