§ 29. Mr. LoveTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on funding for pay in sixth-form and further education colleges. [132618]
§ Mr. WicksTo help colleges meet the challenge to raise standards of learning, we have made available additional sums to improve the rewards for high calibre staff and to secure their recruitment and retention. My right hon. Friend announced on 18 July a £50 million increase in funding for further education lecturers' pay in 2001–02.
The Government are strongly committed to the continuation of the current independent arrangements for settling pay and conditions in the further education sector. These issues will remain a matter between employers and staff. Representatives of employers, unions and officials from this Department have started the process of designing appropriate mechanisms for further education.