Further Education Estate 2022-07-04
2022-07-04
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
▸
Context
The MP is concerned about the quality of further education buildings across England.
I am concerned about the assessment of the quality of further education buildings in England. What assessment has been made?
We want all colleges in England to be able to provide a world-class education, which is why we are delivering our manifesto commitment to offer £1.5 billion to upgrade the further education college estate over the next six years. We have surveyed the condition of FE estates—all colleges received their own survey—and we intend to publish a national overview of the results in the next academic year.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP is interested in ensuring that local people have the opportunity to acquire necessary skills for emerging jobs in low-carbon energy along the coast.
Significant investment has taken place at East Coast College, with facilities like the energy skills centre. However, a long-term strategic approach is required. Will my hon. Friend meet me and East Coast College to go through its strategy and agree on a plan for implementation?
I thank my hon. Friend for his interest in this agenda. I would be delighted to meet him and his college.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP is concerned about the unaffordable match funding required for major works at New City College in Tower Hamlets, with a redevelopment cost of £85 million.
Match funding required for major works is unaffordable for colleges like New City College. The college has two campuses in Tower Hamlets and no longer has the facilities to provide modern workplace education because of redevelopment costs. Will the Minister meet me and the principal of New City College to discuss a way forward?
I was delighted to visit New City College during Education World Forum week. It received £5 million in phase 1 of the FE capital transformation fund. We continue to be in dialogue with the college into the next rounds and I am happy to talk to the hon. Lady and the principal at any time.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP is comparing the investment made by the Scottish Government on further education estates since 2007, noting that an equivalent investment in FE in England would be £8 billion.
Last week, Scottish schools broke up for summer holidays. The Scottish Government have invested more than £800 million since 2007 on the further education estate in Scotland. An equivalent investment in FE in England would be £8 billion. How will the college estate in England be brought up to world class standard without greater investment?
We said that we would upgrade the FE college estate. We set £1.5 billion aside to do that. I am not in a position to comment on the condition of the Scottish FE estate. It may well be that the Scottish estate was in a considerably worse state of repair after several years of SNP rule.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Comparing With Scotland
Response accuracy