§ Mr. George HowarthTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many additional student places will be made available in higher education in(a) 2006 and (b) each year to 2020 under (i) the present arrangements and (ii) his proposals on top-up fees. [148710]
§ Alan JohnsonThe planned number of student places is set during spending reviews in the light of the Government's target of increasing participation in higher education towards 50 per cent. of those aged 18 to 30 by the end of the decade. Planned student numbers for 2005–06 to 2007–08 will be set as part of the current spending review, which will conclude next summer. However, the additional funds that we estimate will be raised by higher education institutions from charging variable fees are equivalent to the resources that would be required for around 135,000 students.