Government Response: The Education (Student Finance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) Regulations 2022

Technical Scrutiny point _ : Response

In respect of the technical scrutiny point, there is a typographical error as noted in the report.  We are seeking to correct this with the SI Registrar through a correction slip to the instrument.

Merit Scrutiny points _: Response

The first merits reporting point is concerned with eligibility for persons living together with a relevant Afghan citizen in a relationship akin to marriage or civil partnership.

The Regulations correctly give effect to current Welsh Government policy following dialogue with the UK Government who are responsible for the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme. That dialogue is ongoing and eligibility for Afghan citizens to receive student support will be reviewed, where necessary, as a result of that discussion.

The second merits point relates to the reference to “eligible student” in new paragraph 13F of Schedule 4 to the Regulations. That is a typographical error.  Reference should be to “eligible postgraduate student”.  This will be corrected in the next appropriate set of amending Regulations, which are anticipated to be made in June or July this year.

The final merits point is concerned with a point previously reported on in respect of the definition of a “person granted leave to remain as a protected partner” in the Education (European University Institute) (Wales) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2021. An amendment to address that point was made in the Education (Eligibility for Student Support) (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/49 (W. 18)). Those Regulations were laid in the Senedd on 19 January.