§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what representations she has received on the proposed withdrawal of funding for(a) education and (b) training programmes by local learning and skills councils. [3185]
§ Margaret HodgeWe have received very few representations about withdrawal of funding for programmes by the Learning and Skills Council. We have received a number of representations about the LSC's new funding arrangements for work-based learning for young people. On the whole, these changes have been well received, but inevitably there will be some concerns when funding rates change. To help meet these concerns the Learning and Skills Council has put in place effective transitional arrangements that cushion the reductions in income levels of providers compared with 1999–2000.
543W
§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what arrangements she has made to transfer teaching pay initiative moneys direct from local learning and skills councils through colleges to individual teachers. [3189]
§ Margaret HodgeAll colleges received provisional allocations of funding in April 2001 from the Learning and Skills Council for the teaching pay initiative in 2001–02. Indicative amounts for 2002–03 and 2003–04 were issued to general FE colleges on 10 July 2001. While discussions on implementation are continuing with sixth-form colleges, the onus has been on all other colleges to come forward with a brief summary of their pay initiative implementation. LSCs cannot release the money without this and so far less than 10 per cent. of colleges have responded. Detailed arrangements for making payments to individual teachers will be implemented locally by individual colleges.
§ Mr. WillisTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has for learner representation on learning and skills councils. [3367]
§ Margaret HodgeWe recognise that to be successful, the Learning and Skills Council must be fully responsive to the needs of learners and potential learners. The LSC's national council and each of the 47 local LSCs include, for example, trade unionists and local authority elected members, who can represent the views and needs of learners.
In addition, learning partnerships are already charged with ensuring that consultative mechanisms are in place to capture and articulate the views and opinions of young and adult learners, and feed these back to the LSC.
First degree graduates in specified subjects by class of degree and domicile, 1999–2000, higher education institutions in the UK Numbers Subject/domicile First class honours Second class honours Third class honours Pass1 Total Physical sciences Home 1,553 9,061 998 687 12,299 EU 111 435 71 53 670 Overseas 36 144 22 13 215 Total 1,700 9,640 1,091 753 13,184 Mathematical sciences and informatics Home 823 2,302 442 234 3,801 EU 21 88 21 14 144 Overseas 34 83 22 10 149 Total 878 2,473 485 258 4,094 Biological sciences Home 1,476 14,228 801 615 17,120 EU 100 768 78 34 980 Overseas 28 290 25 6 349 Total 1,604 15,286 904 655 18,449 Engineering and technology Home 1,929 9,688 1,148 1,804 14,569 EU 200 1,579 467 499 2,745 Overseas 632 2,128 280 197 3,237 Total 2,761 13,395 1,895 2,500 20,551 1 Pass grades include Ordinary degrees Source:
HESA July Student Records 1996 to 2000
544WThe LSC itself is also considering what further mechanisms it needs to put in place at national and local levels to ensure that learners are effectively engaged in the new arrangements, and to advise on people's learning needs and expectations.
§ Mr. WillisTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has for greater integration between the Learning and Skills Council and the higher education funding councils; and if she will make a statement. [3366]
§ Margaret HodgeThe Learning and Skills Council and the Higher Education Funding Council for England are already building close co-operation to widen access to higher education and to meet employers' skill needs. The two chief executives meet regularly and attend each other's council meetings as observers. The local arms of the LSC are partners with HEFCE in delivering the excellence challenge which helps able young people in deprived areas enter higher education. In addition, we welcome the contribution of representatives from the higher education sector on the LSC's national council and on 35 of its 47 local councils. The Government will encourage further joint working between the LSC and HEFCE to achieve their shared objectives.