§ Chris RuaneTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what projects his Department is piloting to increase the number of part-time students from the poorest communities taking up and completing access courses. [156305]
§ Alan JohnsonMy Department is piloting no such projects. However, I have asked the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA), which regulates the national recognition of Access Courses, to make proposals which modernise the criteria for access courses, so that they are sufficiently flexible and attractive to meet the needs of today's adult learners. My Department is expecting these proposals in the spring.
§ Chris RuaneTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what representations his Department has received on the impact of the benefits system on the take up of part-time access courses. [156307]
§ Alan JohnsonNeither my Department nor that of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions have received any specific representations.