§ Mr. WillisTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the Answer to the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, south-West (Rob Marris) of 14 May 2004,Official Report, columns 623–24W, on further education colleges, what the percentage change in funding received in 2003–04 by (a) schools and (b) colleges was when the impact of (i) rates of changes to targeted funds for pay and staff training and (ii) teachers' pension funding are included in the calculation. [179177]
§ Alan JohnsonFor the academic year 2003–04, core funding rates per qualification increased by 3 per cent. for school sixth forms and 10 per cent. for further education colleges. The 10 per cent. increase in core
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§ Mr. Miliband[holding answer 10 June 2004]: The information requested is shown in the table.
funding rates per qualification for further education colleges includes a 2 per cent. increase to compensate colleges for increases to the employer contribution to the Teachers Pension Scheme; and a 3.5 per cent. increase to reflect the consolidation of previously targeted funds for pay and staff training. The additional resources to schools for changes to the employer contribution to the Teachers Pension Scheme were allocated separately from the qualification rates to schools. The allocation was based on pupil numbers and area costs. The amount per pupil before area cost adjustments was £103 in 2003–04. The consolidation of previously targeted funds for pay and staff training did not apply to schools funding in 2003–04.
§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent discussions he has had with the Association of Colleges about the concerns of the further education sector; and if he will make a statement. [179224]
§ Mr. Ivan LewisWe have had a number of discussions recently with the Association of Colleges (AoC) and the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) about concerns within the sector on funding for 2004–05. Over the last year the further education (FE) sector and other providers have exceeded expectations in participation, retention and attainment and it is this success that has created pressures on funding for this year. Although we have already invested a record amount in FE this spending review, we have added £130 millionextra to the LSC's budget that will allow allocations for 2004–05 to be kept on track for all colleges that are performing to target. This is an important extra investment which will 1393W also support a process of change and help colleges develop towards a more demand-led system in which colleges are increasingly funded from a variety of sources, particularly from employers.
§ Mr. SimmondsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many different qualifications could be achieved through study at further education colleges on the latest date for which figures are available. [179812]
§ Alan JohnsonThe Learning and Skills Council (LSC) estimate that in 2002/03 there were about 17,000 different qualifications being studied for in further education (FE) colleges in England. This estimate covers LSC funded FE provision only and includes some non-accredited qualifications. In addition to this 17,000, some colleges also provide higher education courses, and many local authorities contract out some of their adult and community learning provision to FE colleges.