Higher Education and Research Bill — House of Commons, 2016-11-21
Topic: Education
Jo Johnson (Conservative, Centre-right): I touched on that at the start of my remarks. The Opposition proposed a commission for lifelong learning in new clause 15. The Government are obviously strongly committed to lifelong education, in which the Secretary of State and I have taken a close interest. Studying part-time and later in life brings enormous benefits for individuals, employers and the general economy. Alongside our higher education reforms, we are reforming further education, including implementing the skills plan that was published earlier this year and through the recent introduction of the Technical and Further Education Bill, which had its Second Reading last week As the hon. Member for Blackpool South is well aware, the Government committed in the last Budget to review the gaps and support for lifetime learning, including part-time flexible study. That review is ongoing. Higher education already offers flexible options for the thousands of mature students who want to study each year. In addition, much work is under way to expand access to lifelong learning through a variety of routes to suit learners. I am confident that those reforms, like others in the Bill, will continue to have a positive impact on learning—lifelong or otherwise Question put and agreed to. New clause 1 accordingly read a Second time, and added to the Bill. New Clause 2 Student support: restricted modification of repayment terms "(1) Section 22 of the Teaching and Higher Education Act 1998 (power to give financial support to students) is amended in accordance with subsections (2) to (4) (2) In subsection (2)(g) at the beginning insert ‘Subject to subsections (3)(A) and (3)(B),’ (3) In subsection (2)(g) leave out from ‘section’ to the end of subsection (2)(g) (4) After subsection (3) insert— ‘(3A) Other than in accordance with subsection (3B), no provision may be made under subsection (2)(g) relating to the repayment of a loan that has been made available under this section once the parties to that loan (including the borrower) have agreed the terms and conditions of repayment, including during— (a) the period of enrolment on a course specified under subsection (1)(a) or (1)(b), and (b) the period of repayment (3B) Any modification to any requirement or other provision relating to the repayment of a loan made available under this section and during the periods specified in subsection (3A) shall only be made if approved by an independent panel (3C) The independent panel shall approve modifications under subsection (3B) if such modifications meet conditions to be determined by the panel. (3D) The approval conditions under subsection (3C) must include that— (a) the modification is subject to consultation with representatives of the borrowers, (b) the majority of the representative group consider the modification to be favourable to the majority of students and graduates who have entered loans, and (c) there is evidence that those on low incomes will be protected (3E) The independent panel shall consist of three people appointed by the Secretary of State, who (between them) must have experience of— (a) consumer protection, (b) loan modification and mediation, (c) the higher education sector, and (d) student finance.’"—(Wes Streeting.) Brought up, and read the First time.