HC Deb 25 April 2002 vol 384 cc404-5W
9. Mr. Boswell

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when she last met the Association of Colleges to discuss further education funding and delivery. [50354]

Margaret Hodge

DFES Ministers have met representatives of the Association of Colleges (AoC) on a number of occasions in recent months. The Secretary of State met David Gibson and other representatives from the AoC on 11 February where a wide range of issues relating to FE was discussed. I last met the AoC on 11 April to discuss issues including FE pay and funding.

13. Ms Munn

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has for increasing funding to further education colleges; and if she will make a statement. [50358]

John Healey

We are making available over £4.2 billion for further education in 2002–03, a 3 per cent. real terms increase. We are looking to the current spending review to deliver the resources we need to meet the Government's ambitions for further education in 2003–04 and beyond.

16. Mr. Kidney

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what action her Department is taking to widen participation in further education in this financial year. [50362]

John Healey

Further education plays a key role in driving forward growth in participation and achievement, by providing high quality vocational and academic routes. This year we are investing over £4.2 billion in further education, a 3 per cent. real terms increase on last year and this will enable the Learning and Skills Council to fund a 2.9 per cent. growth in full-time equivalent students in the sector. The Council has recently submitted a report to the Government on its plans for widening participation and we will be working jointly with the LSC to implement this.

Vera Baird

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what priority she gives to 16 to 18 education in(a) schools and (b) colleges of further education. [50353]

Mr. Timms

We assign an equally high priority to education in schools and colleges. My hon. and learned Friend will know that the 14–19 Green Paper sets out our aim that schools and colleges should collaborate to provide all young people with an extended range of opportunities from age 14.