§ Tony CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures are being taken to ensure the take-up of increases in training support funds resourced from the Department of Health to local authorities; and how these funds are being targeted towards the voluntary sector. [92883]
§ Jacqui SmithWe are establishing two new ring-fenced grants linked to training for 2003–04—the National Training Strategy Grant and the Human Resources Development Strategy Grant. These were announced in the Local Authority Social Services Letter LASSL(2002)11. We will shortly consult with representatives of the statutory, private and voluntary sectors on the conditions and allocations for both grants.
The National Training Strategy Grant is to be used to support the training of social care staff in all sectors, with the majority of the fund being spent on developing National Vocational Qualifications in social care.
The Human Resources Development Strategy Grant will be used to support social care employers in all sectors as they develop the social care work force.