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The funding of higher education tuition fees and maintenance grants.

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WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR TREASURY AND RESOURCES BY DEPUTY G.P. SOUTHERN OF ST. HELIER

ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON MONDAY 11TH DECEMBER 2017

Question

Will the Minister give members full details of the proposals announced during the debate on the 2018 Budget Statement for the funding of higher education tuition fees and maintenance grants (including the sources of funding) and the removal of higher rate child allowance for the years 2018 - 2022?

Will he also, following discussion with the Minister for Education, give details of the schedule for any consultation process in respect of these proposals and outline what aspects of those proposals, if any, will be open to change through consultation?

Answer

Details of the proposals were included in the Minister's opening speech for the Budget debate on 28th November 2017. The main elements of the proposals, which will now be consulted on, are as follows:

  • Access to a grant for tuition fees will be extended to all eligible students (undergraduates, first degree only). This will extend to the maximum cost of a standard UK degree (currently £9,250 per year), with additional sums for courses such as medicine courses, in line with the current scheme.
  • Those students in households with an income of less than £150,000 will have access to a grant for 100% of their tuition fees.
  • For those in households with income of £150,000, the grant will cover 50% of the tuition fees.
  • An extension of the current means tested maintenance grant to more students and their families to contribute towards living expenses. The threshold for receiving such a grant will be increased to household income up to £95,000.
  • Removal of the Higher Rate Child Allowance from the tax system will form part of the funding solution. This is worth about £3.5million per annum and will be announced in the 2019 Budget.

The Minister for Education has already announced publicly that the consultation began on 11th December and will end in early January, with the review being completed as fast as possible thereafter.