§ Helen JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what funding he will make available to further education and sixth form colleges for pay; and if he will make a statement. [156060]
§ Mr. BlunkettLast year I announced that £50 million would be available in 2001–02 and £100 million in 2002–03 for further education and sixth form colleges' pay, subject to satisfactory proposals coming forward from the sector. As testimony to the strength of the proposals that have now come forward, we have earmarked an additional £15 million for further education and sixth form college pay within the resources available
690Win 2001–02. £100 million will be available in 2002–03. In 2003–04, there will be a further increase to £135 million. Further education 2nd sixth form colleges will be able to implement their proposals from 1 April 2001.
By 2003–04, the proposals will allow the majority of teachers in further education and sixth form colleges to qualify for increases in salary of up to £2,000, or the pro rata equivalent for part-time staff. Staff in all colleges will also have new Opportunities for further salary progression for good teaching. Further education colleges will have additional resources to improve the quality of work delivered by part-tine staff, particularly for basic skills.
I will also ensure: that teachers of shortage subjects in further education and sixth form colleges will benefit from golden hellos comparable to those already available in schools, and from the arrangements we are piloting to help new entrants to the profession to pay off their student loans over a set period of time. Funding for these new recruitment and retention measures will be additional to the sums I have announced for further education pay.
We are publishing today "Raising Standards: Teaching in Further Education", copies of which have been placed in the Library and are available from the Vote Office.