(2) what estimate she has made of the number of students who would be affected by the amendment of the deemed income rules to provide for income from student loans to be disregarded in respect of the eligibility for benefits of those students who suspend their studies because of serious ill health.
We are looking with colleagues in other Departments at the position for students who suspend their studies because of serious ill health and who, as a result, have not drawn down their student loan. I will also explore with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, education providers and students' representative bodies, whether we can strengthen the awareness and transparency of the current arrangements.
Information on the number of students that might be affected by such a change to the deeming rules for those who abandon their course is not available as it would depend on the detailed conditions that were set.