§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans she has to provide innovation grants to universities to fund innovation projects in their communities. [29152]
§ Mr. BoswellUnder the 1992 Further and Higher Education Act my right hon. Friend provides grants to the Higher Education Funding Council for England to distribute to universities and colleges to fund teaching and research. She has asked the Council to take into account in its funding for research the Government's policies on competitiveness, including those concerned with innovation. Separately the HEFCE provides HE institutions with grants to promote innovation areas such as: teaching, learning and technology, teaching practices; the organisation of the academic year; improving access to local groups traditionally under represented in HE; and providing continuing professional development for local employers.