Further Education (Hansard, 29 April 2002)

§ Dr. Julian Lewis
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what her Department's policy is on ensuring that public funds made available to further education colleges are reflected in pay offers made to teachers. [52564]

§ Margaret Hodge
We are investing significant funding in the FE sector. In 2001–02, £527 million extra was planned for FE—a 12 per cent. real terms increase, with a further 3 per cent. increase this year. By 2003–04, annual funding for FE will have increased by £1.4 billion since 1996–97, a real terms increase of 20 per cent.
It is for each college to agree annual pay rises and conditions of employment with its staff in the context of the overall resources available to them. In 2001–02, at least 93 per cent. of colleges were able to pay the recommended 3.7 per cent. pay award in full, or in part. The substantial additional investment we are making in the sector should enable colleges to ensure that staff receive an appropriate salary increase this year.

§ Dr. Julian Lewis
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the impact on forward planning by further education colleges of current funding structures and practices. [52566]

§ Margaret Hodge
The Learning and Skills Council's (LSC) funding arrangements aim to provide an appropriate balance between the need to move resources flexibly to meet changing student demand, and the advantages for colleges of being able to plan for the medium term.
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On funding for participation, resources need to follow the learner. Colleges which attract additional students should be supported with additional funding as resources allow. Colleges which do not meet their projected student numbers must expect to adjust their plans accordingly. The LSC has arrangements in place to support colleges in financial difficulties while they make the required changes.
On funding for improving standards and institutional development, the LSC is developing funding arrangements which support the medium term planning required for such changes. The LSC, when allocating Standards Funds to colleges for 2002–03 will indicate likely funding for the following two years, subject to availability of funds and progress towards agreed improvement targets.
The Government have also given commitments to colleges about future increases in Teaching Pay Initiative allocations and an assurance that future funding arrangements will recognise the on-going commitments these represent to colleges where they consolidate these payments into lecturers' salaries.
The Government expect the LSC, in deciding future funding arrangements, to keep under review the balance between flexible resourcing and stability in college funding.

§ Dr. Julian Lewis
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what role she plans for(a) further education colleges and (b) school sixth-forms in encouraging students to enter higher education. [52573]

§ Margaret Hodge
Further education colleges and school sixth forms both have a crucial role to play in encouraging young people to enter higher education. The Excellence Challenge brings schools and colleges together in partnership with higher education institutions to raise attainment and aspirations. Schools and FE colleges in Excellence Challenge areas will also benefit from the AimHigher roadshow, which was launched earlier this year to promote higher education to young people. FE colleges also have a valued role as providers of higher education.
We are working with both the Learning and Skills Council and the Higher Education Funding Council for England to strengthen ways in which progression to higher education can be supported and encouraged.

§ Mr. Hoban
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average funding per pupil in 16 to 19 education in(a) school sixth forms, (b) sixth form colleges and (c) further education colleges was in 2000–01 in (i) England, (ii) Hampshire, (iii) Dorset, (iv) Surrey and (v) West Sussex. [52549]

§ Mr. Ivan Lewis
[holding answer 26 April 20021]: The figures for school and college funding have not been calculated on the same basis and cannot therefore be used to make comparisons. The FE unit funding figure includes total public funding allocated for further education, while the schools' figure does not. It is based only on delegated funds and excludes other funding the school receives centrally from LEAs which impacts on post-16 students.
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The latest estimate of the average delegated funding per sixth form student in schools per year in England for 2001–02 is £3,330. The total funding per full-time equivalent student in FE sector colleges per year in England for 2001–02 is estimated to be £3,660.
Separate figures for sixth form colleges are not available. Separate figures for county funding levels are not available.