Higher Education funding proposal (P.33/2018): amendment

STATES OF JERSEY

HIGHER EDUCATION FUNDING PROPOSAL (P.33/2018): AMENDMENT

Lodged au Greffe on 9th April 2018 by Senator P.F.C. Ozouf

STATES GREFFE

2018  P.33 Amd.

HIGHER EDUCATION FUNDING PROPOSAL (P.33/2018): AMENDMENT ____________

1  PAGE 2, PARAGRAPH (a) –

For the words "a new" substitute the words "an interim" and after the words "accompanying this proposition" insert the words ", for any students either currently  in  higher  education  or  commencing  higher  education  in  the  next 3 academic years with the Scheme to run for the duration of their studies".

2  PAGE 2, PARAGRAPH (c) –

After the words "accompanying this proposition" insert the words ", subject to paragraph (a)".

3  PAGE 2, PARAGRAPH (c) –

In  paragraph (c)  substitute  the  full  stop  with  the  words  ";  and"  and,  after paragraph (c), insert new paragraph (d) –

"(d)  that the Council of Ministers should review the interim Scheme and

bring forward proposals for a permanent scheme as part of the next Medium  Term  Financial  Plan,  having  regard  to  the recommendations  contained  in  the  Scrutiny  Report  Tertiary Education: Student Finance Proposals' (S.R.5/2018) and any new policy proposals announced in the United Kingdom.".

SENATOR P.F.C. OZOUF

Note:  After this amendment, the proposition would read as follows –

THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion –

to agree –

1. the introduction of an interim Higher Education Student Grant Scheme, as set out in the report accompanying this proposition, for  any  students  either  currently  in  higher  education  or commencing higher education in the next 3 academic years with the Scheme to run for the duration of their studies;
2. the removal of the Higher Child Allowance from the year of tax assessment 2019;
3. the  transitional  arrangements  as  set  out  in  the  report accompanying this proposition, subject to paragraph (a); and

4. that the Council of Ministers should review the interim Scheme and bring forward proposals for a permanent scheme as part of the next Medium Term Financial Plan, having regard to the recommendations contained in the Scrutiny Report Tertiary Education: Student Finance Proposals' (S.R.5/2018) and any new policy proposals announced in the United Kingdom.

Page - 3

P.33/2018 Amd.

REPORT

This amendment is brought forward in the light of the Scrutiny Panel recommendation that the proposed permanent scheme put forward by the Council of Ministers should be an interim scheme.

One of the greatest injustices of recent years has been the inability of a large group of Island students to attend university because of a lack of financial means.

It is clear that the proposed scheme brought forward by the outgoing Council has a number of serious and important financial sustainability questions that need to be addressed before an open-ended commitment to fund such a scheme is approved.

The amendment gives students and parents certainty for the next 3 years and will avoid any Island student wishing to attend university or enrol in higher education course being prevented from doing so because of the lack of financial means.

Financial and manpower implications

There are no additional financial or manpower implications beyond what is stated in Higher Education funding proposal' (P.33/2018).