§ Jim DobbinTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to provide funding to help further education colleges in(a) Heywood and Middleton and (b) the North West specifically to refurbish and rebuild their estates. [171133]
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§ Alan JohnsonWe have set out plans for 60 per cent. real terms increase in capital expenditure in the post-16 learning and skills sector in 2005–06 compared to 2002–03.
The Department does not provide a specific budget to the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) for rebuilding/refurbishing further education colleges. It is for the LSC to determine for itself the right level of capital investment in further education colleges from the funds allocated to it by the Department for capital investment. This includes decisions about the level of funding that it expects colleges to contribute to capital projects.
This is an operational matter for the LSC. Mr. Haysom, the Council's Chief Executive, will write to the hon. Member on this matter. A copy of his reply will be placed in the House Library.