Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether he plans to further increase the number of scholarships available to refugees, asylum seekers and forced immigrants.

Last year the government invested £5 million to expand the Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships, allowing 150 students to benefit from a scholarship by 2025. These Masters scholarships for study in low and middle income Commonwealth countries are open to Commonwealth citizens, including those who hold refugee status in a Commonwealth country.

Most higher education providers, as independent and autonomous organisations, provide support direct to their students through scholarships and bursaries. Such support is available to refugees and asylum seekers. Organisations such as the Refugee Support Network and the Student Action for Refugees provide information to students on the availability of such support.

Asylum seekers and refugee children in the UK are entitled to a school place and must be considered for admission in the same way as local residents.