House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 20 Jan 2004 (pt 8)

20 Jan 2004 : Column 1129W—continued

Student Finance

Mr. Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to his statement of 8 January 2004, Official Report, column 418, on higher

20 Jan 2004 : Column 1130W

education (student support), whether the student loan repayment to be written off after 25 years applies to all money owed to the Student Loans Company. [148267]

Alan Johnson [holding answer 19 January 2004]: Under the student support proposals announced by my right hon. Friend on 8 January, the Government intend to write-off outstanding student loan balances 25 years after graduates enter liability to repay their loans, which is from the April after graduation. This policy will apply to those entering HE from 2006 and graduating in 2009 and cover both maintenance and fee loans.

Mr. Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the age limit is on eligibility for student loans; and how he proposes to change that in the event of a repayment period capped at 25 years. [149636]

Alan Johnson: The age limit is 50 for eligible students meeting the residence requirements. Those aged 50 to 54 at the start of their course can also apply for a student loan provided that they plan to return to work after finishing their course. We have no plans to change the age limits.

We already cancel loans when a borrower reaches the age of 65. We also intend to put a 25 year cap on the loan repayment period, so that outstanding loan amounts are written off after 25 years (or age 65, whichever is the earlier).

Student Places

Mr. George Howarth: To 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 Johnson: The 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.

CABINET OFFICE

Departmental Staff

Mr. Russell Brown: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what percentage of staff employed within the Office are over 55 years of age; and what (a) number and (b) percentage of staff recruited over the last 12 months are over 55 years of age. [145769]

Mr. Alexander: The following Table shows the number and percentage of staff in departments and agencies aged 55 and over at 1 April 2003. The figures are based on the headcount of permanent civil servants.

20 Jan 2004 : Column 1131W

Department Age 55 + Others Total Per cent. 55 +

Cabinet Office 190 1,780 1,970 9.6

COI 30 330 360 8.1

Sec. & Intelligence Services 490 4,200 4,690 10.4

DCMS 50 640 690 7.5

MOD 18,550 74,900 93,450 19.8

ODPM 350 2,600 2,940 11.9

DfES 470 4,760 5,220 8.9

OFSTED 340 2,310 2,650 12.9

DEFRA 1,410 9,680 11,080 12.7

DoHealth 320 3,260 3,580 9.0

Home Office 1,900 20,520 22,420 8.5

Charity Commission 50 520 580 9.0

HM Prison Service 6,100 38,060 44,160 13.8

DfID 110 1,030 1,140 9.7

Crown Prosecution Service 550 6,890 7,440 7.4

Legal Secretariat 10 30 30 16.7

Treasury Solicitors 40 500 540 7.8

CPSI 10 40 40 11.9

DCA 2,210 10,310 12,530 17.7

HM Land Registry 1,100 7,840 8,940 12.3

Public Record Office 70 450 520 13.9

Trade and Industry 1,280 8,970 10,240 12.5

ACAS 150 750 900 16.8

ECGD 50 340 390 12.7

Office of Fair Trading 80 330 410 20.1

OFGEM 10 260 270 2.9

DTLR 2,900 12,890 15,790 18.4

Health & Safety Executive 580 3,680 4,260 13.6

OFWAT 10 230 240 5.4

OS 140 1,640 1,780 7.6

DfT 250 1,700 1,940 12.7

HM Treasury 60 980 1,040 5.4

Customs & Excise 2,490 20,470 22,950 10.8

GAD 10 90 100 10.3

Inland Revenue 8,580 74,260 82,840 10.4

DNS 10 100 110 10.5

ONS 340 3,130 3,470 9.8

Royal Mint 90 720 810 10.6

DWP 11,860 12,2410 134,270 8.8

Northern Ireland Office 320 160 190 17.7

Privy Council Office ⁽⁴⁾— 30 30 8.8

Scottish Executive 1,190 10,920 12,110 9.8

Crown Office & PFS 80 1,380 1,450 5.4

General Register Office (Scotland) 40 180 220 17.7

National Archive for Scotland 20 130 150 12.6

Office SOS for Scotland 10 90 100 11.7

Registers of Scotland 90 1,280 1,370 6.8

National Assembly of Wales 430 3,290 3,720 11.6

OHMCI 10 80 90 14.6

Wales Office 10 40 50 18.8

Department	Age 55 +	Others	Total	Per cent. 55 +
Cabinet Office	190	1,780	1,970	9.6
COI	30	330	360	8.1
Sec. & Intelligence Services	490	4,200	4,690	10.4
DCMS	50	640	690	7.5
MOD	18,550	74,900	93,450	19.8
ODPM	350	2,600	2,940	11.9
DfES	470	4,760	5,220	8.9
OFSTED	340	2,310	2,650	12.9
DEFRA	1,410	9,680	11,080	12.7
DoHealth	320	3,260	3,580	9.0
Home Office	1,900	20,520	22,420	8.5
Charity Commission	50	520	580	9.0
HM Prison Service	6,100	38,060	44,160	13.8
DfID	110	1,030	1,140	9.7
Crown Prosecution Service	550	6,890	7,440	7.4
Legal Secretariat	10	30	30	16.7
Treasury Solicitors	40	500	540	7.8
CPSI	10	40	40	11.9
DCA	2,210	10,310	12,530	17.7
HM Land Registry	1,100	7,840	8,940	12.3
Public Record Office	70	450	520	13.9
Trade and Industry	1,280	8,970	10,240	12.5
ACAS	150	750	900	16.8
ECGD	50	340	390	12.7
Office of Fair Trading	80	330	410	20.1
OFGEM	10	260	270	2.9
DTLR	2,900	12,890	15,790	18.4
Health & Safety Executive	580	3,680	4,260	13.6
OFWAT	10	230	240	5.4
OS	140	1,640	1,780	7.6
DfT	250	1,700	1,940	12.7
HM Treasury	60	980	1,040	5.4
Customs & Excise	2,490	20,470	22,950	10.8
GAD	10	90	100	10.3
Inland Revenue	8,580	74,260	82,840	10.4
DNS	10	100	110	10.5
ONS	340	3,130	3,470	9.8
Royal Mint	90	720	810	10.6
DWP	11,860	12,2410	134,270	8.8
Northern Ireland Office	320	160	190	17.7
Privy Council Office	⁽⁴⁾—	30	30	8.8
Scottish Executive	1,190	10,920	12,110	9.8
Crown Office & PFS	80	1,380	1,450	5.4
General Register Office (Scotland)	40	180	220	17.7
National Archive for Scotland	20	130	150	12.6
Office SOS for Scotland	10	90	100	11.7
Registers of Scotland	90	1,280	1,370	6.8
National Assembly of Wales	430	3,290	3,720	11.6
OHMCI	10	80	90	14.6
Wales Office	10	40	50	18.8

⁽⁴⁾ Numbers and percentages less than 5.

The following Table shows the number and percentage of recruits to departments and agencies over the period 1 April 2002 to 31 March 2003 who are aged

20 Jan 2004 : Column 1132W

55 years and over. Figures are based on the headcount of Permanent civil servants.

Department Age 55 + Others Total Percentage of recruits aged 55 +

Cabinet Office 10 190 200 7.0

Parliamentary Counsel Office ⁽⁵⁾— 10 10 ⁽⁵⁾—

COI ⁽⁵⁾— 80 80 ⁽⁵⁾—

Sec & Intelligence Services 10 220 230 6.1

DCMS ⁽⁵⁾— 50 60 ⁽⁵⁾—

MOD 1,330 6,360 7,690 17.3

ODPM 50 310 350 12.8

DfES 30 320 340 7.8

OFSTED 60 400 450 12.6

DEFRA 60 620 680 9.1

DoH 60 510 570 10.9

Home Office 310 3,250 3,560 8.7

Charity Commission ⁽⁵⁾— 70 70 ⁽⁵⁾—

HM Prison Service 480 3,790 4,270 11.2

DfID ⁽⁵⁾— 30 30 ⁽⁵⁾—

Crown Prosecution Service 60 720 780 7.4

Legal Secretariat 0 ⁽⁵⁾— ⁽⁵⁾— ⁽⁵⁾—

Treasury Solicitors Department ⁽⁵⁾— 90 90 ⁽⁵⁾—

Lord Chancellors Department. 220 1,390 1,610 13.9

HM Land Registry 60 520 580 9.5

Public Record Office 10 90 100 9.5

Department. of Trade and Industry 60 640 690 8.4

ACAS ⁽⁵⁾— 40 40 ⁽⁵⁾—

ECGD ⁽⁵⁾— 50 60 ⁽⁵⁾—

OFGEM ⁽⁵⁾— 50 50 ⁽⁵⁾—

DTLR 160 1,110 1,270 12.8

Health & Safety Executive 10 280 300 4.1

OFWAT 0 50 50 0.0

OS 10 70 80 9.3

HM Treasury ⁽⁵⁾— 80 80 ⁽⁵⁾—

Customs & Excise 90 1,150 1,240 7.3

GAD ⁽⁵⁾— 10 10 ⁽⁵⁾—

Inland Revenue 1,320 12,100 13,420 9.8

DNS ⁽⁵⁾— 20 30 ⁽⁵⁾—

ONS 20 350 370 5.7

Royal Mint ⁽⁵⁾— 20 30 ⁽⁵⁾—

DWP 1,710 12,340 14,050 12.2

Northern Ireland Office ⁽⁵⁾— 20 20 ⁽⁵⁾—

Privy Council Office 0 ⁽⁵⁾— ⁽⁵⁾— ⁽⁵⁾—

Scottish Executive 90 960 1,040 8.2

Crown Office & PFS 20 220 240 8.6

General Register Office (Scotland) 0 ⁽⁵⁾— ⁽⁵⁾— ⁽⁵⁾—

National Archive for Scotland ⁽⁵⁾— 10 10 ⁽⁵⁾—

Office SOS for Scotland 0 10 10 0.0

Registers of Scotland 10 120 140 10.1

National Assembly Wales 110 350 460 24.0

OHMCI ⁽⁵⁾— 10 10 ⁽⁵⁾—

Wales Office 0 ⁽⁵⁾— ⁽⁵⁾— ⁽⁵⁾—

Department	Age 55 +	Others	Total	Percentage of recruits aged 55 +
Cabinet Office	10	190	200	7.0
Parliamentary Counsel Office	⁽⁵⁾—	10	10	⁽⁵⁾—
COI	⁽⁵⁾—	80	80	⁽⁵⁾—
Sec & Intelligence Services	10	220	230	6.1
DCMS	⁽⁵⁾—	50	60	⁽⁵⁾—
MOD	1,330	6,360	7,690	17.3
ODPM	50	310	350	12.8
DfES	30	320	340	7.8
OFSTED	60	400	450	12.6
DEFRA	60	620	680	9.1
DoH	60	510	570	10.9
Home Office	310	3,250	3,560	8.7
Charity Commission	⁽⁵⁾—	70	70	⁽⁵⁾—
HM Prison Service	480	3,790	4,270	11.2
DfID	⁽⁵⁾—	30	30	⁽⁵⁾—
Crown Prosecution Service	60	720	780	7.4
Legal Secretariat	0	⁽⁵⁾—	⁽⁵⁾—	⁽⁵⁾—
Treasury Solicitors Department	⁽⁵⁾—	90	90	⁽⁵⁾—
Lord Chancellors Department.	220	1,390	1,610	13.9
HM Land Registry	60	520	580	9.5
Public Record Office	10	90	100	9.5
Department. of Trade and Industry	60	640	690	8.4
ACAS	⁽⁵⁾—	40	40	⁽⁵⁾—
ECGD	⁽⁵⁾—	50	60	⁽⁵⁾—
OFGEM	⁽⁵⁾—	50	50	⁽⁵⁾—
DTLR	160	1,110	1,270	12.8
Health & Safety Executive	10	280	300	4.1
OFWAT	0	50	50	0.0
OS	10	70	80	9.3
HM Treasury	⁽⁵⁾—	80	80	⁽⁵⁾—
Customs & Excise	90	1,150	1,240	7.3
GAD	⁽⁵⁾—	10	10	⁽⁵⁾—
Inland Revenue	1,320	12,100	13,420	9.8
DNS	⁽⁵⁾—	20	30	⁽⁵⁾—
ONS	20	350	370	5.7
Royal Mint	⁽⁵⁾—	20	30	⁽⁵⁾—
DWP	1,710	12,340	14,050	12.2
Northern Ireland Office	⁽⁵⁾—	20	20	⁽⁵⁾—
Privy Council Office	0	⁽⁵⁾—	⁽⁵⁾—	⁽⁵⁾—
Scottish Executive	90	960	1,040	8.2
Crown Office & PFS	20	220	240	8.6
General Register Office (Scotland)	0	⁽⁵⁾—	⁽⁵⁾—	⁽⁵⁾—
National Archive for Scotland	⁽⁵⁾—	10	10	⁽⁵⁾—
Office SOS for Scotland	0	10	10	0.0
Registers of Scotland	10	120	140	10.1
National Assembly Wales	110	350	460	24.0
OHMCI	⁽⁵⁾—	10	10	⁽⁵⁾—
Wales Office	0	⁽⁵⁾—	⁽⁵⁾—	⁽⁵⁾—

⁽⁵⁾ Numbers and percentages less than 5.

Source:

Mandate The data from Mandate incorporate information on almost 98 per cent. of civil servants.

Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. Rounding may lead to inconsistencies between the sum of individual cells and the totals are calculated from the unrounded numbers.

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