HL Deb 05 July 2004 vol 663 c61WA
Lord Moynihan

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether during 2003 and 2004 meetings have been initiated between the British Council, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Department for Education and Skills and UK Sport about the operation of the "Dreams + Teams" programme; and what is the status of the programme. [HL3352]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean:

Meetings have been held in both years between the British Council, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Department for Education and Skills and UK Sport, to share information on the international programme of each organisation. Dreams + Teams is active in over 30 countries, with involvement from governmental and non-governmental partners in those countries. The programme is a British Council programme which focuses on promoting education and school links through sport.

Lord Moynihan

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the budget for the British Council's "Dreams + Teams" programme; and what is the proposed level of funding for each of the partners. [HL3353]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean:

The British Council has a budget of approximately £300,000 for Dreams + Teams activities in over 30 countries. This is supplemented by contributions from both governmental and non-governmental partners in those countries.

The British Council and the Youth Sport Trust jointly fund a post to co-ordinate the UK schools links element of the programme. The British Council pays Dreams + Teams tutor trainers via the Youth Sport Trust. In the past financial year, this amounted to some £35,000.

There are no plans to increase the level of funding for any partners by the British Council. So far as we are aware, there are no plans for partners to increase their funding either.