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12 Sept 2005 : Column 2341W—continued
Communication Aid Project
Mr. Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) how many applications are outstanding under the Communication Aid Project for speech and language therapy equipment for children with special educational needs; [14360]
(2) what plans she has to extend the funding for the Communication Aid Project; and if she will make a statement. [14361]
Beverley Hughes: The Communication Aids Project (CAP) is designed to help pupils with significant communication difficulties. This includes difficulties with understanding language, impaired oral communication or difficulties with written communication. The project supplies assistive technology to meet individual, assessed needs.
Since it began in April 2002, CAP has provided assessment, equipment and training for 3,662 pupils. According to the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency, who administer CAP on behalf of the Department, there are currently 430 pupils either awaiting assessment, or awaiting equipment following CAP assessment.
On present indications, it is expected that providing for these children will take up all available CAP funding in 2005–06. If, however, expenditure falls short of anticipated levels, the difference will be deployed in support of additional cases. These would be drawn from a further 439 referrals, currently on hold. All applicants have been informed of the position.
CAP is currently funded to March 2006. We will be reviewing the case for further funding in the months to come as part of a wider review of expenditure priorities.
Correspondence
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many letters to her Department from hon. Members in session (a) 2004–05 and (b) 2005–06 remain unanswered, broken down by those which are (i) one-month-old, (ii) two-months-old, (iii) three-months-old, (iv) four-months-old and (v) over six-months-old. [13861]
Beverley Hughes: Information on letters from hon. Members is not collected in this format. The Cabinet Office, on an annual basis, publishes a report to Parliament on the performance of departments in replying to Members/Peers correspondence. The report for 2004 was published on 6 April 2005, Official Report, columns 137–40WS.
Cycling
Mr. Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will take steps to encourage cycling among school children. [14743]
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Beverley Hughes: The Department for Education and Skills is one of six Departments overseeing the new expert body, Cycling England, which has been created to plan the investment of £5 million for each of three years to inspire more cycling, more safely". Cycling England's first annual work plan will be published shortly and I expect it to contain new programmes supporting cycling to school.
In September 2003 the Government launched the Travelling to School" action plan to encourage more walking and cycling on the journey to school, by developing travel plans. Schools receive a capital grant on completion of their travel plans, and to date around £35 million has been paid to over 6,000 schools with travel plans. Much of this money has been spent on cycle storage facilities, lockers and other facilities supporting cycling.
Departmental Purchasing
Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the companies from which her Department has purchased goods and services of a total value above £1 million in each of the last three years; and how much was spent in respect of each company. [11735]
Bill Rammell: The information requested has been placed in the House Libraries.
Dyslexic Students
Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what arrangements have been put in place for students with dyslexia whose reading age is equal to their chronological age and who may have difficulties with short-term memory and speed of processing when taking examinations. [13359]
Maria Eagle [holding answer 19 July 2005]: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 19 July 2005, Official Report, column 1582W about the arrangements that the awarding bodies make for students with special requirements. The Joint Council for Qualifications' Guidance referred to in that reply states that students with a dyslexic condition affecting short-term memory and speed of processing may be allowed up to a maximum of 25 per cent. extra time, granted by centres and depending on need, to finish writing papers.
Education Maintenance Allowance
Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate she has made of the number of people in receipt of education maintenance allowance in the City of Newcastle upon Tyne; how many people she estimates are eligible for education maintenance allowance in the City; and what the take-up rate in the City is. [6352]
Beverley Hughes: This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council. Mark Haysom, the Council's Chief Executive, will write to my hon. Friend with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.
Annette Brooke:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of those in receipt of an education maintenance allowance of (a) £30,
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(b) £20 and (c) £10 are studying in (i) a further education college, (ii) a sixth form college, (iii) a school sixth form, (iv) an independent school and (v) another institution. [8963]
Bill Rammell [holding answer 4 July 2005]: This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council. Mark Haysom, the Council's Chief Executive, will write to the hon. Member with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.
Letter from Rob Wye to Annette Brooke, dated 20 July 2005:
I am writing on Mark Haysom's behalf, due to him currently being on annual leave, in response to your Parliamentary Question in which you asked the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of those in receipt of an education maintenance allowance of (a) £30, (b) £20 and (c) £10 are studying in (i) a further education college, (ii) a sixth form college, (iii) a school sixth form, (iv) an independent school and (v) another institution."
Information on students in receipt of education maintenance allowance and broken down by the three defined payment bands of £30, £20 and £10 is set out in the table below. This information is further broken down by institution type using the categories that we have adopted for EMA purposes. We do not hold this information for the institution types that you have specifically requested.
I hope this information is helpful and addresses your question. If you would like further details please contact Clare Worsdale at the LSC National Office on 0114 207 4546 or Clare.Worsdale@lsc.gov.uk
Equality and Diversity
David T.C. Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much the Department has spent promoting equality and diversity in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [14667]
Bill Rammell:
The Department for Education and Skills commitment not to discriminate unfairly on any grounds is set out clearly in our recently revised equality and diversity policy, which recognises that everyone should have an equal opportunity to meet their aspirations, realise their full potential and improve their life chances. Making this policy a reality is our
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opportunity to contribute to delivery of both economic prosperity and the development of a fair and inclusive society.
Equality and diversity is the responsibility of everyone in the Department and many teams take actions within existing budgets, in the normal course of business. It is therefore not possible to establish specific costs for each separate activity. Over and above this there are a small number of teams within DfES who have specific responsibility for championing and promoting equality and diversity, their budgets amounting to some £18.5 million over the last five years (this is 0.02 per cent. of the total education budget). In addition further corporate awareness raising or training initiatives in this period have cost in excess of £0.5 million and publication of our revised Race Equality Scheme was at a cost of £5,000k.
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