§ Mr. Hilary BennTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if the proposed Learning and Skills Council will have any responsibility for funding students learning with the University for Industry. [98143]
§ Mr. WicksThe Learning and Skills Council will be responsible for funding all post-16 education and training apart from work-based training for adults, which will be the responsibility of the Employment Service. Funding for University for Industry students is being considered in the context of developing the proposals set out in "Learning to Succeed" and the Government's spending review next year.
§ Mr. Hilary BennTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what discussions he has had with the Further Education Funding Council about the funding of persons studying with the University for Industry. [98141]
§ Mr. WicksThe Department is in regular contact with the Further Education Funding Council about such funding. Following guidance from the Secretary of State, the Council has earmarked £20.25 million to support Ufl learners from within its total grant-in-aid for 2000–01. Discussions are underway between the Department, the Council and Ufl Ltd. on funding Ufl learners from 2001–02 onwards.