§ Mr. ToddTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is taking to improve the availability of higher and further education to residents in rural areas. [42581]
§ Dr. HowellsOur proposals for encouraging lifelong learning for people throughout the UK, including rural communities, are set out in the consultation paper "The Learning Age". Higher education is available in England from over 100 higher education institutions, including the Open University, and from many further education colleges. The Further Education Funding Council has a duty to secure the provision of adequate and sufficient facilities for further education.