§ Mr. WillisTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proposals he has to resolve the current dispute between FE staff and their employers. [61810]
§ Mr. MudieI understand that the Association of Colleges and the National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education continue to discuss the issues between them. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State would urge all concerned to find a constructive way forward at a time when further education is set to benefit from the major additional investment of £725 million funding over the next two years which he announced last week.
§ Mr. ChaytorTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received concerning the impact on external institutions of the FEFC' s proposed merger of access and childcare funds; and what plans he has to ensure that external institutions are not disadvantaged by these changes. [61926]
§ Mr. MudieThe new arrangements for further education student support, and an extra £67 million of new funding over the next two years, were announced by the Secretary of State on 26 November. These arrangements will include a very significant increase in the funding available through the FE Access Fund and funding specifically for the FEFC to augment its support for childcare provision. Attention will be paid to the position of external institutions when the detail of the new arrangements is worked up with the FEFC.