Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what equality impact assessment in relation to gender his Department carried out on the proposal to limit the new postgraduate student loan finance to students under 30.

A preliminary equality impact assessment undertaken by the Department suggests there is little difference between the proportions of men and women undertaking postgraduate taught courses under 30 and those who are older, or in their propensity to study part-time. We will gather further evidence as part of the consultation before finalising the terms of the postgraduate taught loan.