§ Mr. IllsleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to restrict off site collaborative provision between colleges, universities and business. [56698]
§ Mr. MudieMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is concerned to ensure high quality and value for money in collaborative arrangements between further education colleges and business. In furtherance of these objectives, the Further Education Funding Council has made changes in the arrangements for such provision with effect from 1 August. First, colleges are prohibited from transferring funding to employers as part of a collaborative arrangement to provide education and training to their employees, except for the hire of equipment or premises. In addition, the funding guidance for 1998–99 stresses the need for colleges to address identified growth in their local communities. Should colleges seek to operate244W outside their local area, they would be expected to liaise with colleges in the locality concerned, thereby eliminating unhelpful and wasteful competition.
As regards higher education, we have no plans to restrict universities' collaborative arrangements with business.