§ Mr. LepperTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on(a) the role of local learning partnerships in the work of local learning and skills councils and (b) the timetable for consultation on local learning partnerships. [106796]
§ Mr. WicksThere are now over 100 Learning Partnerships throughout the country. They were established following extensive consultation by DfEE308W with national partners and, through them, with local agencies (colleges, TECs, careers services, LEAs etc.). Learning Partnerships have a key role in the new post-16 arrangements. They will provide the local LSCs with invaluable advice about the learning needs of young people, adults and the community in general, as well as the skill needs of employers. This advice will inform the local LSCs' annual planning of learning and skill needs and priorities for the development of local provision.
The role of Learning Partnerships in relation to the local Learning and Skills Councils has been published in the Learning and Skills Council Prospectus "Learning to Succeed" (December 1999)—paragraph 2.43 to 2.48 and the Secretary of State's letter of 17 January 2000 to all Members enclosing the Learning Partnership Policy Statement. Both documents are available in the Library of the House.
The White Paper "Learning to Succeed" posed specific questions regarding the role of Learning Partnerships and how they might best support local LSCs. Respondents indicated overwhelming support for their role in the new post-16 arrangements and therefore there are no plans for further consultation on Learning Partnerships.