HC Deb 07 January 2004 vol 416 c367W
Chris Grayling

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether it is his intention to increase the overall total number of students aged 18 to 30 who study for courses in(a) higher education and (b) further education institutions by 2010. [144284]

Alan Johnson

The White Paper: The Future of Higher Education was published in January 2003. In this, the Government set out plans to increase participation in higher education towards 50 per cent. of those aged 18 to 30 by 2010.Although there are no numerical targets for expansion of student numbers in further education, funding will increase by £1.2 billion between 2002–03 and 2005–06, a 19 per cent. real terms increase. This will help to support increased participation in further education.

Mr. Mahmood

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what research his Department has carried out on the ability of(a) individual learners and (b) employers to pay increased fees for further education courses. [146233]

Alan Johnson

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to his earlier question, 16 December 2003,Official Report, column 835W, refers.

Mr. Peter Duncan

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what representations he has received from Scottish universities in respect of the proposed Higher Education Bill. [145681]

Alan Johnson

I have received representations from a wide range of sources since the White Paper was published. My Department has had discussions regarding the proposals in the Higher Education Bill with Universities UK which represents institutions across the UK.