§ Mr. RaynsfordTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps are being taken by his Department to assist further education colleges in inner London to14W recruit more students, and in particular unemployed students; and if he will take steps to reduce the financial disincentives which currently apply where colleges enrol a high proportion of unemployed students.
§ Mr. FormanAccess funds have been made available to further education colleges to enable them to assist full-time and sandwich home students aged 19 or over who might otherwise be unable to participate in further education because of financial difficulties. The determination of college budgets, including the account taken of any fee remission schemes for students such as those who are unemployed, is currently a matter for the maintaining local education authority. From 1 April 1993, colleges will be transferred to a new further education sector arid funded direct by the Further Education Funding Council. They will have a financial incentive to increase participation and respond flexibly and quickly to demand from all members of the community.