HC Deb 12 June 2003 vol 406 cc1031-2W
Paul Holmes

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much additional private sector employer investment he estimates will be put into sector skills councils in addition to his Department's own resources; and if he will make a statement. [118136]

Mr. Ivan Lewis

Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) will receive a substantial contribution of up to £3 million over three years from Government towards their core costs. The strength and vitality of SSCs will be measured in part by the extent to which they are able to generate financial support from all sector stakeholders, including employers. We expect SSCs to lever in substantial private sector employer investment but have not set a target on how much that investment should be. However, Government would expect private sector employer investment to rise over time, particularly as SSCs demonstrate their benefits to employers.