HC Deb 18 July 2003 vol 409 cc748-9W
Mr. Boswell

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what criteria will be applied for targeting support for level 3 qualifications(a) by sector and (b) by region. [126803]

Mr. Ivan Lewis

Support for intermediate skills at level 3 will be focussed on those in priority sectors and to meet specific regional skills needs. Criteria for targeting the level 3 support will be determined in consultation with the Sector Skills Development Agency, the Learning and Skills Council and the Regional Development Agencies.

Mr. Boswell

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether it is his policy to offer a renewed entitlement to free learning at level 2 to people whose previous skills have become obsolete. [126804]

Mr. Miliband

The entitlement to free provision for level 2 learning announced in the White Paper "21st Century Skills: Releasing Our Potential" is for those without a qualification at that level. Decisions about the use of public funds for learning in addition to the level 2 entitlement will take account of the needs of those without higher level technical and craft skills and people who are re-skilling for new careers or returning to the labour market. We will consider the question of issue of old or obsolete qualifications which will be examined as we implement the overall Skills Strategy.

Young (under 21) Mature (over 21)
Low risk A-levels or Highers with at least 17 points: degree or higher A-levels or Highers with at least 27 points: degree or higher
Medium risk A-levels or Highers of 9 to 16 points; foundation courses; Baccalaureate A-levels or Highers with less than 27 points; HE below degree level; foundation courses; access courses
High risk Less than 9 A-level points; access course; BTEC; GNVQ level 3; HE below degree level; none; others; unknown. BTEC; GNVQ level 3; Baccalaureate; none; others; unknown.

Students who are categorised as low risk do not attract additional widening participation and improving retention funding. The approximate additional funding attracted by the other categories is as follows:

Young (under 21) Mature (over 21)
Medium risk 250 370
High risk 370 620