Social Work Courses

HC Deb 20 July 1989 vol 157 cc254-5W

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science why his Department proposes to place social work courses on the lowest funding band for higher education; and what representations have been received regarding this matter.

Mr. Jackson

The proposals in the consultation paper "Shifting the Balance of Public Funding of Higher Education to Fees" reflected available information on teaching costs. Before drawing up more detailed plans, we shall be considering the view of the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work that social work degree courses should be in one of the higher bands. However, the majority of social work training is provided through courses which fall outside the scope of the fee proposals.