Explanatory Memorandum to The Cancellation of Student Loans For Living Costs Liability (Wales) Regulations 2014
This Explanatory Memorandum has been prepared by the Department for Education and Skills and is laid before the National Assembly for Wales in conjunction with the above subordinate legislation and in accordance with Standing Order 27.1.
Minister’s Declaration
In my view, this Explanatory Memorandum gives a fair and reasonable view of the expected impact of the Cancellation of Student Loans for Living Costs Liability (Wales) Regulations 2014.
Minister for Education and Skills
21 May 2014
These Regulations provide for up to £1,500 of each student’s living cost loan (also known as a maintenance loan), for academic year 2014/2015, to be cancelled in certain circumstances. The cancellation will take effect from the day after the date on which the student’s first loan repayment is received.
These Regulations are made by the Welsh Ministers in exercise of the powers conferred upon the Secretary of State by sections 22 and 42(6) of the Teaching and Higher Education Act 1998 (“the THEA”) and which are now exercisable by them.
The functions of the Secretary of State under section 22 of the THEA were transferred to the National Assembly for Wales by section 44 of the Higher Education Act 2004 and were then transferred to the Welsh Ministers by virtue of paragraphs 30(1) and 30(2)(c) of Schedule 11 to the Government of Wales Act 2006.
Students who receive a living costs loan from the Welsh Ministers in academic year 2014/2015 will do so under the Education (Student Support) (Wales) Regulations 2013 (WSI 2013 No.3177 (W.316)). The Education (Student Support) (Wales) Regulations are made every year, also under section 22 of the THEA.
Provisions relating to the repayment of living costs loans are contained in the Education (Student Loans) (Repayment) Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/470), (as amended) which are also made under section 22 of the Teaching and Higher Education Act 1998.
This instrument will follow the Negative Resolution procedure.
These Regulations make provision for students who receive a living costs loan from the Welsh Ministers for academic year 2014/15 to have up to £1,500 of their living costs loan liability cancelled once they start to make repayments.
Were these Regulations to be annulled, students receiving a living costs loan from the Welsh Ministers in the academic year 2014/2015 would not receive a partial cancellation of their loan liability.
5. Consultation
No consultation or Regulatory Impact Assessment has been undertaken as these Regulations are technical in nature and simply update the academic year for which this scheme will operate.
Monitoring and Review
Once the Regulations come in to force, powers are delegated to the Student Loans Company (SLC) to administer the scheme on behalf of Welsh Ministers to ensure Welsh domiciled students receive a partial cancellation in certain circumstances. SLC monitor how much partial cancellation is awarded and provide quarterly figures to officials in the Welsh Government. Feedback from students indicate that the scheme is widely appreciated as the Welsh Government continues to provide a more generous student support package compared to the Westminster Government.