§ Baroness Maddockasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will reform financial support for adults so as to encourage learning. [HL2436]
§ Baroness Ashton of UphollandWe announced in our skills strategy White Paper an increase in the financial support to help adults in further education with the costs of learning through a new adult learning grant. The grant is available on a pilot basis in 10 local learning and skills council areas and we plan to double the size of the current pilot from September by making the adult learning grant available across the south-east and north-east regions.
48WAProposals for improving the package of financial support for undergraduates were announced in January at Commons Second Reading of the Higher Education Bill. This includes introduction of a non-repayable grant of up to £2,700 pa for students from poorer economic backgrounds. We are improving the package of support for part-time students, many of whom are mature. In 2004–05 students on low incomes will be able to get a grant of up to £575 for fees and a grant of up to £250 for course costs. We will continue to provide additional, targeted financial support for vulnerable students, through higher education institutions, to ensure that more of them are able to access and remain in higher education.