Equality in Higher Education Tuition Fees Funding Bill

A BILL TO extend the right of free higher education in Scotland to students resident in the rest of the United Kingdom, and to extend the right of reduced tuition of students in Wales and Northern Ireland to students resident in other parts of the United Kingdom.

BE IT ENACTED by The Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Commons in this present Parliament assembled, in accordance with the provisions of the Parliament Acts 1911 and 1949, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

Section 1: Definitions

1. For the purposes of this bill a non-resident student shall be defined as: A Higher Education Student who is a citizen of the United Kingdom, and who is studying at a University located in Wales or Scotland, but not receiving free tuition for students resident in Scotland or the reduced rate of tuition fees for students resident in Wales or Northern Ireland.

2. A British student shall be defined, for the purposes of this bill as: A British Citizen studying an undergraduate degree at a Higher Education Institution located in the United Kingdom.

Section 2: Scottish Funding

1. The eligibility for tuition fees funding through the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) shall be extended to non-resident students.

2. Non-resident students shall receive the same funding as they would if they were resident in Scotland.

3. Her Majesty’s Government may increase funding to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland in order to fund the new free tuition for English, Welsh and Northern Irish Students.

Section 3: Welsh Funding

1.The eligibility for reduced tuition fees funding through Student Finance Wales shall be extended to non-resident students.

1. Non-resident students shall receive the same funding for tuition fees as they would if they were resident in Wales.

2. Her Majesty’s Government may increase funding to Student Finance Wales in order to fund the new reduced tuition for English, Scottish and Northern Irish Students.

Section 4: Northern Irish Funding

1. The eligibility for reduced tuition fees funding through Student Finance Northern Ireland shall be extended to non-resident students.

2. Non-resident students shall receive the same funding for tuition fees as they would if they were resident in Northern Ireland.

3. Her Majesty’s Government may increase funding to Student Finance NI in order to fund the new reduced tuition for English, Scottish and Welsh Students.

Section 5: Student Finance Agency Reform

1.The Student Awards Agency for Scotland shall now be responsible for funding British students who are studying at a Higher Education Institution in Scotland, changed from funding students who are resident in Scotland studying anywhere in the United Kingdom.

1. Student Finance England shall now be responsible for funding British students who are studying at a Higher Education Institution in England, changed from funding students who are resident in England studying anywhere in the United Kingdom

2. Student Finance Wales shall now be responsible for funding British students who are studying at a Higher Education Institution in Wales, changed from funding students who are resident in Wales studying anywhere in the United Kingdom

3. Student Finance Northern Ireland shall now be responsible for funding British students who are studying at a Higher Education Institution in Northern Ireland, changed from funding students who are resident in Northern Ireland studying anywhere in the United Kingdom

Section 6: Commencement, Short Title and Effect.

1. This bill extends to England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

   a. This bill only affects those who are beginning a degree, not those whom are currently studying a degree at a university.

2. This bill comes into force on the 1st August 2016.

3. This bill may be cited as the University Tuition Equality Bill.

Costings of the Bill

The Bill is estimated to cost £86,004,770, working for this figure can be found on the google doc format of the bill.

Google docs format: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1g_VnIK6kOkCXOWQsssYJd4C_LZ5LWmfNDEB1hxfvyqY/edit?usp=sharing

This bill was submitted by the Honourable /u/Duncs11 MP on behalf of UKIP

This reading will end on the 2nd of November.