DISABLED STUDENTS ALLOWANCE SCHEME

That this House notes the importance of the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) scheme for disabled people in Higher Education and the beneficial effect it has on recipients' academic achievements; acknowledges that DSA is associated with improved degree qualifications that result in significantly increased earnings; condemns the Government's reform of DSA, including the introduction of a £200 levy on disabled students who are recommended a computer as part of the essential technology to allow them to study independently and successfully; and accepts that since the introduction of this student contribution, there has been a significant decrease in the number of students taking up the equipment that has been recommended for them despite an increase in the number of assessments.