To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what support will be given from public funds towards students' maintenance in the academic year 1992–93.

We propose the following increases in student support. They are subject, in each case, to parliamentary approval of the necessary regulations.The maximum rates of loan in the United Kingdom will be as follows:

Loan rates 1992–93	Full year rate (£)	Final year rate (£)
Students living away from home:
in London	830	605
elsewhere	715	525
Students living at home	570	415

The main rates of maintenance grant for mandatory award holders from England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and their equivalents in Scotland, will be the same as in the current academic year. The rates for England, Wales and Northern Ireland are as follows; Scottish rates are slightly different.

Main grant rates 1992–93	(£)
Students living away from home:
in London	2,845
elsewhere	2,265
Students living at home	1,795

These grant and loan rates will enable average student support in the United Kingdom from main grant and loan to grow by 4·5 per cent. next year. The resources available to students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland will be as follows:

Resources from main grant and loan, 1992–93	Full year(£)	Final year(£)
Students living away from home:
in London	3,675	3,450
elsewhere	2,980	2,790
Students living at home	2,365	2,210

We shall adjust the parental and spouse contribution scales for mandatory awards for students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland, so that the contribution assessed for a parent or spouse whose residual income rises in line with average earnings will continue to fall in real terms.We shall increase the supplementary allowances payable within the mandatory award by 4·5 per cent., thereby maintaining their value in real terms.We shall make similar adjustments to the scales and allowances used for equivalent awards elsewhere in the United Kingdom.