HL Deb 21 February 2000 vol 610 cc6-8WA
Lord Hoyle

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What plans have they to strengthen the provisions of the Learning and Skills Bill (H.L.) to ensure that both the national and local learning and skills councils will have statutory responsibility to develop the skills of the workforce regardless of age. [HL986]

Baroness Blackstone

We recognise that there needs to be a substantial improvement in participation and achievement at every level of attainment. That is why we are devoting significant additional resources to post-16 learning to allow access to learning for all those who need it: £3.9 billion in 2001–02, compared to £3.1 billion in 1998–99: an extra £800 million.

However, we have made clear that the learning and skills council will be required to give priority to the learning of 16 to 19-year-olds, fulfilling our commitment given in the White Paper Learning to Succeed to give all 16 to 19 year-olds an entitlement to education and training, whether full-time or part-time, if they want it. We have made a distinction between provision for the 16 to 19 age group and adults, as we have one of the sharpest declines in participation from 16 to 18 of many countries in Europe.

The local learning and skills councils will have discretion to secure the right balance and mix of post-19 provision in their area. We expect further increases in the number of adults in learning.

Lord Hoyle

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will strengthen the provisions of the Learning and Skills Bill (H.L.) to ensure that the plans of local learning and skills councils are based upon a statement of the needs of their areas regarding education, training and workforce development; and [HL988]

Whether they intend to amend the Learning and Skills Bill (H.L.) to confirm that the remit of the learning and skills council at both the national and local level should include the identification of labour market needs, the instigation of economic regeneration initiatives and the undertaking of social inclusion projects that will provide equal opportunities to persons aged 16 or over. [HL987]

Baroness Blackstone

The noble Lord has tabled the above two Questions which we feel can be appropriately linked.

We have set out in the LSC Prospectus the importance of the LSCs activities being integrated with local economic development. Local LSCs will achieve this by consulting about their plans with RDAs, local authorities, the Employment Service and local economic development partnerships.

In support of workforce development and regeneration activities, the LSC is expected to develop a system which is responsive to the needs of the economy, local areas and particular industries and sectors. In particular, the LSC will support workforce development by working with employers, trade unions and many others, including Investors in People UK, the Small Business Service and the University for Industry. It will also work closely with National Training Organisations and their developing frameworks for sector workforce development plans. At a local level the LSCs will prepare local workforce development plans which reflect the national framework and build on the work of local Learning Partnerships. This work includes an analysis of local labour market and skills needs and build on the work of RDAs in identifying regional skill needs.

Also, local LSCs will have a range of flexible budgets amounting to around 10–15 per cent of the overall funding to support workforce development, local regeneration initiatives, equality of opportunity projects and initiatives, improving access to learning opportunities and marketing and promotion activity.

Lord Hoyle

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they intend to amend the Learning and Skills Bill (H.L.) to ensure that the workplace learning route has equal status, support and funding to the school or college route. [HL989]

Baroness Blackstone

The Learning and Skills Council will aim to fund all providers on an equitable basis. We have said in the Prospectus that the LSC will need to encourage and support providers offering a high quality service, whether they be employers, colleges, school sixth forms or private or voluntary sector training providers.

We are committed to creating a new system which is coherent, accessible and responsive to the needs of individuals, businesses and communities. The allocation of the majority of the LSC's funds will therefore depend on demand from individuals and businesses about the learning opportunities they wish to pursue, which will in turn inform the decisions taken by the local LSCs.

The majority of funds will be allocated to national rates within a funding formula. However, we expect that 10–15 per cent of LSC budgets will be for provision which is not included in the national tariff and will be made at the discretion of the local LSC and can be used, for example, for improvements in the quality of local provision and workforce development.