Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussion he has had with representatives of the British Assistive Technology Association on the £200 self-contribution required from disabled students who are in receipt of Disability Support Allowance funded equipment.

Since 2015 eligible students have been required to pay £200 towards the cost of computer equipment recommended for them, given that computer ownership is now widespread and therefore a mainstream cost for all students.

Officials in the Department for Education have met British Assistive Technology Association (BATA) representatives on a number of occasions to discuss Disability Support Allowances. In those discussions, BATA has raised the issue of the 2015 changes that introduced a £200 contribution to the cost of recommended computer equipment.