§ Mr. SpringTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what his projection is of funding for adult learning and skills provision by colleges of further education in rural areas; [175372]
(2) what funding provision is made for further education colleges in rural areas; and if he will make a statement. [175373]
§ Alan JohnsonThe Department allocates funds to the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) for the provision of education and training in the post-16 learning and skills sector. The Department does not provide a specific budget to the LSC for further education colleges in rural areas. The LSC decides on allocations at individual college and regional levels from the funds allocated to it for learning participation. Information about these allocations is not collected by the Department. This is a matter for the LSC. Mark Haysom, the Council's Chief Executive, will write to the Honourable Gentleman on this matter. A copy of his reply will be placed in the House Library. The Government have set out its investment plans for 2003–04 to 2005–06 which should enable the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) to increase funding for further education significantly.