Oral Answers to Questions

Justin Tomlinson Excerpts

Thursday 13th January 2011 Commons Chamber

[Justin Tomlinson (North Swindon) (Con)]

14. What progress he has made on preparations for the higher education White Paper; and if he will make a statement.

[Nicola Blackwood (Oxford West and Abingdon) (Con)]

15. What progress he has made on preparations for the higher education White Paper; and if he will make a statement.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Willetts]

My hon. Friend was, of course, a lecturer in a further education college, and it is only right that he should remind us of the contribution that FE colleges can make. He is absolutely right, and we do hope to encourage higher education in further education institutions as part of our White Paper.

[Justin Tomlinson]

In an ever more complex financial world, does the Minister agree that offering additional financial education will give universities a unique selling point in providing quality student support on post-study matters, and therefore should be considered as part of higher education pastoral support in the forthcoming White Paper?

[Mr Willetts]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right about the importance of people having access to good financial advice. Of course, one thing that students can be advised is that in future, under the coalition’s proposals, their monthly repayments on their student loans will be lower than under the current scheme.