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Higher Education
Mr. Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what (a) the projected revenue to higher education institutions from student tuition fees and (b) the notional revenue on the assumption that no fees were rebated on account of low
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income will be for the next three financial years; and if he will indicate how the difference is scored in the presentation of Government statistics. [145737]
Mr. Wicks [holding answer 18 January 2001]: The projected income to higher education institutions in England from tuition fees governed by the student support regulations, the mandatory award regulations and for those post-graduate students funded by the research councils is shown in table 1:
| 2001-02 | 2002-03 | 2003-04 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public contributions to fees | 498 | 493 | 500 |
| Student contributions to fees(14) | 350 | 376 | 400 |
| Total | 848 | 869 | 900 |
(14) The student contributions are net of an estimated 5 per cent. cost for collection and any default
If exemption from fee contributions for those students from low-income families were to be removed then forecast fee income would be as follows:
| 2001-02 | 2002-03 | 2003-04 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public contributions to fees | 74 | 61 | 62 |
| Student contributions to fees(15) | 753 | 786 | 815 |
| Total | 827 | 847 | 877 |
(15) The student contributions are net of an estimated 5 per cent. cost for collection and any default
Note that under such circumstances public contributions would be paid only in relation to students funded under the mandatory award regulations, PGCE students who are exempt from paying contributions towards fees and those students funded by the research councils. The difference in total fee income relates solely to the increased cost of collection and default.
In relation to the presentation of statistics the public contributions and student contributions to fees are usually shown separately.
Tax Reform (Students)
Mr. Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what consultations he has had with ministerial colleagues concerning the recent report of the low income tax reform group of the Chartered Institute of Taxation entitled "Students-The Case for Making Life Easier"; and if he will make a statement. [145738]
Mr. Wicks [holding answer 18 January 2001]: We received a copy of the report very recently and will consider the recommendations of concern to DfEE carefully, consulting other Departments as appropriate.
Numeracy and Literacy
Mr. Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will estimate the percentage of adults with the lowest numeracy and literacy skills in each region and nation of the UK. [145863]
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Mr. Wicks [holding answer 16 January 2001]: In 1998 a Basic Skills Agency 'benchmarking' survey provided estimates of literacy and numeracy rates in England by region. This identified three attainment groups, all of
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which have levels of literacy and numeracy below that expected of an average 11-year-old. The results are contained in the following tables.
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| Approaching level 1 | Between entry and level 1 | Below entry | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Literacy | (Minor difficulties) | (Significant difficulties) | (Serious difficulties) | Total with poor skills |
| East of England | 14.7 | 4.0 | 3.6 | 22.2 |
| East Midlands | 15.4 | 4.6 | 4.4 | 24.4 |
| London | 13.4 | 4.6 | 4.9 | 22.9 |
| North East | 16.3 | 5.4 | 5.4 | 27.2 |
| North West | 15.7 | 5.1 | 4.9 | 25.6 |
| South East | 14.5 | 3.7 | 3.4 | 21.6 |
| South West | 15.2 | 3.7 | 3.5 | 22.4 |
| West Midlands | 15.7 | 5.1 | 5.1 | 25.9 |
| Yorkshire and Humber | 15.9 | 5.1 | 5.0 | 25.9 |
| National average | 15 | 5 | 4 | 24 |
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| Numeracy | Group A (low) | Group B (lower) | Group C (very low) | Total with poor skills |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East of England | 11.0 | 6.3 | 4.6 | 21.8 |
| East Midlands | 12.3 | 7.1 | 5.6 | 25.0 |
| London | 10.7 | 6.6 | 5.8 | 23.0 |
| North East | 13.3 | 8.3 | 6.8 | 28.4 |
| North West | 12.6 | 7.6 | 6.2 | 26.5 |
| South East | 10.5 | 6.0 | 4.4 | 20.8 |
| South West | 10.7 | 6.8 | 5.3 | 22.7 |
| West Midlands | 12.8 | 7.7 | 6.4 | 26.9 |
| Yorkshire and Humber | 12.7 | 7.8 | 6.3 | 26.7 |
| National average | 12 | 7 | 5 | 24 |
Note:
Small errors of ±0.1 per cent. may exist due to rounding
The international adult literacy surveys published as "Adult Literacy in Britain" (1997) and "Adult Literacy in Northern Ireland" (1998), used a different methodology to provide data for adults of working age (16-65) who are at level 1 or below for literacy and numeracy. These show that levels of literacy and numeracy were, England (21 per cent. to 23 per cent.), respectively Wales (24 per cent. to 25 per cent.), Scotland (23 per cent. to 24 per cent.) and Northern Ireland (24 per cent. to 25 per cent.).
Since these surveys were carried out new standards for basic skills have been published by the QCA that establish equivalencies between basic and key skills. A key element of our new national strategy for basic skills, which will be launched in February, is a new baseline survey based on these standards that will provide us with a clearer understanding of the challenge we face to raise the levels of adult literacy and numeracy.
Driver Training Courses
Mr. Brazier: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many young people received funding for driver training courses under the New Deal between 1 January and 30 September 2000; and how many passed their tests. [146052]
Ms Jowell [holding answer 22 January 2001]: We do not collect detailed statistics on the number of young people who received funding for driver training courses under the New Deal. Support for driving lessons is one of
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many forms of discretionary support advisers can offer young people on an individual basis if that will help them find a job.
AS-levels
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received on the AS level examination, and on its implications for university admissions; and if he will make a statement. [146238]
Mr. Wicks: One representation has been received since September. We introduced the AS level qualification as part of the "Qualifying for Success" reforms. The reforms have generally been welcomed by HEI institutions. This is the first year of the reforms and we have been impressed by the response of schools, colleges, and students to them.
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received on the levels of grades required at AS level to secure admission to universities. [146239]
Holocaust Memorial Day
Mr. Butterfill: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how he is planning to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day. [146374]
Jacqui Smith [holding answer 22 January 2001]: In the week preceding Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) we will raise awareness of the day through a series of articles about the Holocaust on the Department's electronic News Centre. We will also be placing backdrops and posters referring to HMD in the reception areas of each of the Department's main sites. A number of our staff will be representing the Department at the HMD national ceremony on 27 January.
An Education Pack to support the commemoration of HMD in schools was launched on 9 November. Copies of the pack will be available for those staff within the Department who wish to understand more about what can be learned from the Holocaust and the issues it raises.
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New Deal
Mrs. May: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) on what basis the time spent by Employment Service staff on New Deal activities is apportioned to the appropriate New Deal budget; [146423]
- (2) how much expenditure was undertaken by the Employment Service in relation to the New Deal and apportioned to New Deal budgets in each of the last three financial years. [146424]
Ms Jowell [holding answer 22 January 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 21 December 2000, Official Report, columns 264-65W.
Tuition Fees
Mr. Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make it his policy to abolish tuition fees for full-time students. [146692]
Mr. Wicks: No. The student finance arrangements that we introduced share the cost of higher education fairly between students, their families and taxpayers generally, and provide essential resources for investment in universities and colleges. The Government have invested £1.7 billion (18 per cent. in real terms) in additional planned resources in higher education in England over the six years between 1998-99 and 2003-04. Next year, for the first time since the 1980s, the higher education sector will receive a real increase in funding per student.
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