HC Deb 09 March 2004 vol 418 cc1385-7W
Mr. Andrew Turner

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the(a) budget and (b) estimated cost to date is of the Working Group on 14 to 19 reform. [159638]

Mr. Miliband

The information requested is as follows:

(a) Budget: £724,000 in 2003–04, including £224,000 for running costs; prior to the 1998 Act, with some selecting more than 10 per cent. of their pupils. The next time specialist schools will be asked to provide aptitude selection data will be this autumn.

The admissions framework for specialist schools is the same as for all other maintained schools. Applicants must be considered against the school's published admission arrangements, including, where applicable, selection.

(b) Estimated cost to date: £518,000 as at 31 January, including £198,000 on running costs.

Mr. Andrew Turner

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills who has(a) been approached by and (b) responded to consultation by the Working Group on 14 to 19 Reform. [159639]

Mr. Miliband

Following the publication of its Progress Report in July 2003, the Working Group on 14–19 Reform consulted a wide variety of organisations and individuals, including schools, colleges, higher education institutions, employers and their representative bodies. I understand that, following his appearance at a meeting of the Select Committee on Education and Skills on 3 March, Mike Tomlinson, Chair of the Working Group, will be sending the hon. Member and other Members of the Select Committee details of the 350 organisations and individuals who commented on the Progress Report. I will ensure that this information is also placed in the Library of the House of Commons.

The Working Group is currently inviting comments on the recommendations in its Interim Report, which was published on 17 February. It will therefore be in dialogue with key stakeholders to ensure that the concerns of employers; higher education; young people and their parents are carefully considered. It is also holding a series of regional events to make sure those in the front line of education and training delivery have opportunities to comment. The aim is to ensure direct engagement of all these parties in the development of the recommendations of the final report of the Working Group, due in the autumn.

Mr. Andrew Turner

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate has been made of the cost of implementing the proposals of the Working Group on 14 to 19 Reform. [159640]

Mr. Miliband

The Government welcomes the recent publication of the Interim Report of the Working Group on 14–19 Reform. The Working Group will be submitting its final report in the autumn. That final report will include recommendations for the timetable and the way in which proposals should be implemented; the costs and other resource and practical implications of reform; and the further policy and implementation work needed. The Government will decide on the way forward for the 14–19 phase of learning in the light of the recommendations in the final report, including the cost implications.