§ Mr. RookerTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if the hours of guided learning undertaken by a student(a) in the evening and (b) on Saturdays will count towards the new 16-hour limit for guided learning allowed to unemployed students who are required to be available for work; and if he will make a statement.
§ Miss WiddecombeAll hours that are classified as guided learning hours will count towards the threshold of 16 guided learning hours per week.
The Further Education Funding Council has introduced the definition of guided learning hours in place of the distinction between part and full-time courses. This reflects the fact that courses are increasingly delivered flexibly, to meet the needs of individuals. The 650W Government's proposals for the rules under jobseeker's allowance are designed to accommodate this change, while ensuring that the same number of people will be able to benefit as do so now.