Further Education 2020-01-20
2020-01-20
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Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
Further education funding is a contentious issue with concerns over adequacy and pay gaps.
What assessment has been made of the adequacy of funding for further education? It has been estimated that there is a pay gap of more £7,000 between teachers in schools and teachers in FE colleges. Does the Secretary of State agree that the current Office for National Statistics classification of FE colleges as non-profit institutions serving households (NPISH status) is hindering the ability to address this growing pay gap?
Further education is a crucial sector that needs more investment to deliver its full potential. The Government have committed an extra £400 million into 16-to-19 education in 2020-21. Colleges are independent and able to set their own staff terms and conditions.
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Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
Colleges like Dudley College provide excellent education and training. There are concerns about funding resources for the implementation of T-levels.
What assurances can he give that such colleges will have the funding resources they need for the roll-out of T-levels to make this scheme a big success?
We have committed £500,000 a year to support the roll-out of T-levels plus capital investment. Dudley College is becoming an institute of technology with 20 such institutions planned across the country.
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Q3
Direct Answer
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Three quarters of sixth-form colleges do not believe they have the funding needed to support disadvantaged students. There is a campaign called 'Raise the Rate' seeking increased per-pupil funding.
More than three quarters of sixth-form colleges do not believe they have the funding they need to support disadvantaged students. The FE sector, Education Committee and Labour party support increasing per-pupil funding to £4,760. Despite warm words from the Secretary of State, the needed funding has not appeared. When will he make good on his promise by restoring the position of FE and Skills Minister and raising the rate to £4,760?
We have delivered an extra £400 million for 16-to-19 education; committed an extra £1.8 billion to FE colleges' funding; and created a national skills fund worth more than £3 billion over three years.
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