§ Baroness Davidasked Her Majesty's Government:
What will be the total amount of money available for the GEST (Grants for Education Support and Training) grant on vocational qualifications in schools, the contribution from the Government and the matching funding required of local authorities/schools (inclusive of grant maintained schools).
Lord LucasThe GEST programme in England in 1995–96 includes support of £13.3 million for the Vocational Qualifications in Schools grant. Of this, £12.0 million will be for the introduction of GNVQs in schools, and £1.3 million for schools piloting Part One GNVQs from September 1995. The Department for Education pays grant on this expenditure at the rate of 60 per cent. (£7.98 million), with local education authorities providing the remaining 40 per cent. (£5.32 million).
Grant-maintained schools are supported by an equivalent grant, Special Purpose Grant (Development), paid at the rate of 100 per cent., which they must spend on activities equivalent to the GEST programme. The allocation of grant among these activities is at the discretion of the schools. In addition to this, a total of £233,000 has been made available to 18 grant-maintained schools to support work on piloting Part One GNVQs.
Separate arrangements apply in Wales, where the 1995–96 GEST programme includes support of £207,000 for schools which will be involved in a pilot development scheme for GNVQs at Key Stage 4 (14–16 year olds) of the National Curriculum. SPG(D) of £42,900 will be available for grant-maintained schools participating in the scheme. Vocational Enhancement Grant (VEG) of £197,000 will also be available to complement this GEST and SPG(D) support.
In addition, support will also be available, within the general GEST support for the Basic Curriculum, to assist schools develop and adapt the curriculum to include a vocational route for pupils linked to GNVQs.
31WAThe Welsh Office pays grant on GEST expenditure at the rate of 60 per cent. SPG(D) and VEG are both paid at 100 per cent.