§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what consultations he has had with local education authorities(a) in the course of the preparation of the paper "Learning to Succeed" (Cm 4392) and (b) after the paper's publication. [94739]
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§ Mr. WicksMinisters and officials meet with the Local Government Association and individual local education authorities on a regular basis to discuss a wide range of issues including our proposals in "Learning to Succeed". We have also received written responses to the consultations associated with the White Paper from the Local Government Association and a large number of individual local education authorities.
§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the role of the voluntary sector in the implementation of Learning to Succeed. [94760]
§ Mr. WicksThe voluntary sector has a number of important roles to play in implementing the proposals in 'Learning to Succeed'. These include helping to ensure that the education and training that the Learning and Skills Council provides is relevant to the needs of young people and adults and providing high quality opportunities to help young people and adults get and keep work. Voluntary organisations are particularly well placed to contribute their expertise in key areas such as tackling social exclusion and in the education and training of those with special or basic skill needs.