§ Mr. WillisTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will take steps to compensate students for the loss of tax relief on the costs of vocational training. [126807]
§ Mr. Wicks[holding answer 21 June 2000]The Government aim to widen participation in work-related learning by helping people overcome the financial barriers. New financial benefits for adult learners have been introduced through Individual Learning Accounts which will become available on learning starting from September. Individual Learning Accounts provide discounts of 20 per cent. on a wide range of work-related learning and discounts of 80 per cent. on a number of specified key courses in Information Technology and Maths. There is also a contribution of £150 towards the cost of learning for the first million people to use their Individual Learning Accounts. At the same time employers will receive tax relief on their contributions to their employees' learning costs and employees will not have to pay tax or national insurance on their employees' contributions.