§ Mr. CorbettTo ask the Secretary of State for Education whether she will include higher and further education establishments and teacher training colleges in her audit next year of accessibility of schools.
§ Mr. BoswellMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will be asking the Further Education Funding Council to consider whether further information on accessibility to further education sector institutions is required in the light of its statutory responsibilities for students with disabilities. The remit letter sent to the
1£ million Outturn Estimated outturn spending plans 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 Cash Terms 9,810 10,530 10,960 11,230 11,240 Real Terms (1993–94 prices) 9,810 10,320 10,400 10,400 10,180 1 Figures rounded as in the Financial Statement and Budget Report. In a demanding public expenditure survey, the Government have had to look for greater efficiency and economy in the delivery of education, but they have maintained priority for this service within their spending plans. In particular, the Government have allowed for growth in the number of students in further education, have extended the scope of the specialist schools programme and have increased the level of support for capital expenditure on schools. Provision is made for continuing growth in the grant-maintained schools programme. As announced last year, participation in higher education has been stabilised at a level where almost one in three young people will be entering higher education. I am announcing measures to promote the private finance initiative in further and higher education; both sectors will be able, in collaboration with the private sector, to increase the planned level of capital work over the next few years.
The plans announced today do not cover the expansion which the Government intend to make in provision for children under five. There will be a further statement about that in due course.
Schools
Specialist Schools Programme
The Government's technology colleges programme has been an outstanding success. It is widening choice for parents, and helping to raise standards in the key subjects of technology, science and maths. Already 50 grant-maintained and voluntary aided schools have received matching funding under the programme from the Government and from private sponsors. As envisaged in the White Paper, "Choice and Diversity", I am now extending the initiative to foreign languages. I also intend to open the programme to county and other maintained secondary schools. Our plans include £15 million, £20 million and £25 million in 1995–96, 1996–97 and 1997–98 respectively to allow for the extension of the programme.
676WHigher Education Funding Council for England on its establishment asked it to consider how access for students with special needs could be facilitated. It is for the Funding Council to decide what information it needs to collect in order to enable it to fulfil that remit and its other functions.