Corbyn - Higher Education: Disadvantaged
Monday 20 April 2009 | House of Commons - Written Answer
Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what recent assessment he has given to the merits of the provision of further and higher education institutions in all areas as a means of widening participation among non-traditional groups. [268615]
Mr. Simon: We are committed to improving choice and reducing barriers to ensure that there is fair access for all to the learning opportunities available. Further education operates across society, having a real impact on businesses, young people and adults, including those from disadvantaged and minority communities. In 2007-08, over 2.6 million people were participating in learning at a FE college.
This Government are fully committed to ensuring every young person has a fair chance of attending university. And we are making progress with the proportion of young entrants from lower socio-economic groups going to university increasing steadily, reaching almost 30 per cent. in 2007. A New University Challenge, with an investment of up to £200 million, will establish new campuses, particularly in areas with no history of provision, and provide places for 10,000 extra students.
In January 2009, the New Opportunities White Paper announced a wide-ranging package of investment and support from across Government for people to make the most of their potential throughout their lives giving them lifelong chances to succeed.
Willetts - Higher Education funding
Monday 20 April 2009 | House of Commons - Written Answer
Mr. Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many publicly-funded places for first-time undergraduates there were in (a) 2007-08 and (b) 2008-09; and how many there are expected to be in 2009-10. [268642]
Mr. Lammy: In 2007-08 there were 1,143,000 HEFCE-funded student places (in full-time equivalent terms). The mix of students between undergraduate and postgraduate courses is an institutional decision. In 2007-08 around 990,000 of the 1,143,000 places were undergraduate. We do not have information on how many of these were first-time undergraduates.
2007-08 are the latest data we have on HEFCE-funded student numbers. DIUS funded an additional 20,000 places for core students in 2008-09, and a further 10,000 in 2009-10. Further information can be found in the 2009 HEFCE Grant Letter. We will not receive outturn data on the 2008-09 student population until early 2010.
Field, F - Further Education Capital Programme
Thursday 23 April 2009 | House of Commons - Written Answer
Mr. Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 1 April 2009, Official Report, columns 70-72WS, on the Further Education Capital Programme, how much of the £2.3 billion has already been allocated. [270192]
Mr. Simon [holding answer 22 April 2009]: The total capital investment through the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) during the spending review period was £2.3 billion prior to the Budget announcement on the 22 April. This covers capital investment on post-16 education which now stands at £2.6 billion following the announcement of the additional £300 million during this spending review to support further education college capital projects.
Following the announcements made in the Budget of 22 April and based on the latest LSC forecast of expenditure over the current spending review period on projects that have already been approved, we estimate that around £500 million is left uncommitted for future college projects.
In line with the recommendations from Sir Andrew Foster, the LSC are currently consulting with the sector on a needs-based approach for prioritising future projects.
King of West Bromwich - Access to Higher Education (Tuition Fees)
Monday 20 April 2009 | House of Lords - Written Answer
Asked by Lord King of West Bromwich
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have regarding any effect on recruitment of students from middle-income families if university tuition fees are substantially raised. [HL2779]
The Minister of State, Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (Lord Drayson): Questions about tuition fees will be a matter for the independent review, which we promised in 2004 would look at the first three years of the new arrangements that were introduced in 2006. The first three years of the variable fee regime will not be concluded until the autumn.
Decisions about the future funding of higher education require a prior view about what universities need to achieve in future. That is why ahead of the independent review, the Government have been leading a wide-ranging debate about the future of higher education. We intend to publish our framework for the future development of HE in the summer.
Ouseley - Further Education (Frozen Capital Projects)
Monday 20 April 2009 | House of Lords - Written Question Tabled
Lord Ouseley to ask Her Majestys Government how many capital projects have been frozen or deferred in the further education sector in 2008-09 and 2009-10; what are the value of such building projects; and what is the impact of such inactivity on the construction industry in the United Kingdom. HL2924
Lea of Crondall - Professions
Monday 20 April 2009 | House of Lords - Oral Question Tabled
*Lord Lea of Crondall to ask Her Majestys Government what plans they have to follow up the recent report by the Panel on Fair Access to the Professions to ensure that senior ranks of the professions are accessible to state-educated people.