§ Mr. WoodwardTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans the Government has to expand the Aimhigher programme in Merseyside. [144324]
§ Alan JohnsonAimhigher (formerly Excellence Challenge) operates in Excellence in Cities (EiC) areas, Education Action Zones (EAZ) and some Excellence Clusters. In April 2004 Aimhigher will merge with Partnerships for Progression, an initiative funded by HEFCE and the LSC. The new Aimhigher will be a coherent national outreach programme operating most intensively in disadvantaged areas and will cover all of Merseyside.