David Willetts

Following the news today that the Government is to cut funding for student grants, Shadow Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, David Willetts, has written to John Denham asking for a further explanation of the cuts.

David Willetts writes to John Denham

In his letter David Willetts says:

I am writing to you on behalf of prospective students, some of whom have already applied to university, who need more information about the new maintenance grant regime.

I regret that you did not come to the House to explain the changes in detail, especially as the current scheme was originally announced in an oral statement. The announcement is likely to cause real confusion among prospective students and parents. The first deadline for some university applications for 2009/10 has already passed, yet the financial regime for next year is now very unclear. At the very least we need a clear, urgent and full explanation of the likely impact.

I would be grateful if you could provide answers to the following questions:

• How many new students in 2009/10 that would have previously been eligible for help will be worse off as a result of the change?
• What is the new taper rate for maintenance grants?
• How will the savings impact on families in different income brackets?
• What are the likely consequences for the level of student debt?
• What is the budget for maintenance grants in 2009/10, and what is the likely steady state cost of the new system?
• What is the full breakdown of the £100m savings?
• What DIUS programmes are being considered as part of the £1.5 billion ‘cash-releasing efficiency savings’?

A family with three children who are each a year apart could face three different maintenance regimes. This is not a sensible basis for families and universities to plan ahead.

Given the public interest in this issue, I am releasing the text of this letter to the press.

DAVID WILLETTS MP

ENDS