To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, pursuant to paragraph 1.179 of Budget 2015, what estimate he has made of how many PhD and post-graduate students in (a) the UK, (b) Scotland, (c) England, (d) Wales and (e) Northern Ireland will receive the proposed financial support in each of the next five years.

We are consulting on how best to implement the policy as part of a wider review into how to broaden and strengthen support for postgraduate researchers. We will be working with employers, universities and students to make sure the scheme meets the most pressing needs.

The Higher Education Statistics Agency collects and publishes data on student entrants, enrolments and qualifiers at UK Higher Education Institutions.