HC Deb 26 February 2004 vol 418 c541W
Chris Ruane

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the rate of participation in(a) higher and (b) further education was in each ward in each of the principal seaside towns in England and Wales in the latest month for which figures are available, listed in descending order, with figures for Welsh seaside towns disaggregated; and if he will make a statement on measures the Government are taking to increase participation in each case. [154961]

Alan Johnson

[ holding answer 23 February 2004]: The information covering England is not held centrally; figures for Wales are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

Data on the percentage of students participating in education or training are not calculated for areas smaller than LEAs, as reliable estimates cannot be made.

The available data for FE show participation rates by LEA for 16 and 17 year olds, and are published in an annual National Statistics Bulletin, 'Participation in Education and Training by 16 and 17 Year Olds in Each Local Area in England'. This latest bulletin is published solely on the DfES website: http://www.dfies.gov.uk/rsqatewav/DB/SBU/b000369/index.shtml

Table three gives participation rates for 16 year olds in full-time education by Local Education Authority, 1998 to 2000, the latest year for which figures are available. Copies of the Bulletin have been placed in the Libraries.

The available data for HE show the proportion of 18 year olds from each LEA who were accepted for entry to full-time undergraduate courses, and are shown in the table.

The Aimhigher programme seeks to improve the attainment of young people in disadvantaged areas, and to raise their aspirations towards higher education. In 2004, Aimhigher will merge with "Partnerships for Progression", a programme funded jointly by the Higher Education Funding Council for England and the Learning and Skills Council. This will create a new, national outreach programme which will operate most intensively in deprived areas. The new programme will cover all seaside towns in England.