HC Deb 19 September 2003 vol 410 cc1137-8W
Mr. Boswell

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of funds available to the Learning and Skills Council was devolved to the discretion of local LSCs in(a) 2001–02, (b) 2002–03 and (c) 2003–04; and what proportion is projected for 2004–05. [131013]

Alan Johnson

This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council. John Harwood, the Council's Chief Executive, will write to the hon. Gentleman with the information requested and place a copy in the Library.

Mr. Pike

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what changes he is making in financial provision for learning and skills councils for the next three financial years; what assessment he made of the effect of these changes; and if he will make a statement. [131299]

Alan Johnson

The budgets allocated to the Learning and Skills Council for the next three financial years were set out in the Grant Letter to the LSC on 5 December 2002. A copy of this was placed at the time in the Library. The budget figures in the letter are £8,095 million in 2003–04, rising to £8,618 million in 2004–05 and £9,200 million in 2005–06. These figures represent record levels of investment in the learning and skills sector and will substantially improve standards and increase the number of people engaged in learning.

Decisions relating to the allocation of budgets by the LSC National Office to local LSCs are a matter for the LSC. Mark Haysom, the Council's Chief Executive from 1 October 2003 will write to the hon. Gentleman with this information and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.