To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many universities and polytechnics administer hardship funds; how much money has been paid out from these funds; and to what extent they are oversubscribed.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to access funds, which were introduced for the first time this academic year. All universities and polytechnics have had allocations from total Great Britain provision of £25 million. Detailed information about the operation of the scheme will not be available until after the end of the academic year.