§ Mr. ChidgeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what change in funding(a) sixth form colleges and (b) further education colleges in England would receive for 16 to 19-year-old provision if funded at the level of sixth forms in schools. [20743]
§ Margaret HodgeIt is not possible to estimate reliably what change in funding would result if sixth form colleges and other FE colleges were to be funded at the level of school sixth forms. Comparable funding figures to do this are not available.
The latest estimate of the average delegated funding per sixth form student in schools per year for 2001–02 is £3,330, and the total funding per full time equivalent (FIE) student in FE sector colleges per year for 2001–02 is £3,660. However, the FE unit funding figure includes total public funding allocated for further education, while the schools' figure is based only on delegated funds and excludes other funding the school receives centrally from LEAs which impacts on post-16 students. The figures therefore cannot be used to make comparisons. Also, separate figures for sixth form colleges and tertiary colleges are not available.