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5 Jun 2008 : Column 1134W—continued
The HEIPR is not available for earlier years than 1999/2000. The HEIPR is not available below country level, therefore figures are not available by parliamentary constituency.
The HEIPR is not available broken down by socio-economic class, due to differences in the information on which socio-economic class is based across the age range. As such, only the full-time young (18-20) component of the HEIPR is available by socio-economic class. Table 3 shows the following:
1. The proportion of 18-20 year olds from the top three socio-economic classes who participate for the first time in full-time higher education;
2. The proportion of 18-20 year olds from the bottom four socio-economic classes who participate for the first time in full-time higher education;
3. The difference, or “gap” between these two rates.
| Full-time Young Participation by Socio-Economic Class (FYPSEC) | ||||
| Percentage | ||||
| Academic year | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 |
The figures cover English-domiciled 18-20 year olds who are studying for the first time at higher education level at UK higher education institutions or English further education colleges, who remain on their courses for at least six months.
Due to a change from social class to socio-economic class in 2001, earlier comparable figures are not available. The 2006/07 figures will become available later this year.
The Government remains committed to widening participation in higher education, it is an economic as well as a social imperative that everyone who can benefit from higher education has the opportunity to do so. Widening participation is about spotting and nurturing talent, with schools, colleges and universities working together to ensure that all those with the potential and merit to benefit from higher education are able to do so.
Higher Education: Finance
Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what proportion of the Higher Education Funding Council for England's budget for tuition funding was allocated to (a) full-time and (b) part-time higher education students in (i) 2006-07 and (ii) 2007-08; and what proportion will be allocated to each category in (A) 2008-09, (B) 2009-10 and (C) 2010-11. [208151]
Bill Rammell: In both 2006-07 and 2007-08 about 82 per cent. of the Higher Education Funding Council for England's budget to support tuition was allocated for full-time students and about 18 per cent. was allocated for part-time students. The underlying full-time proportion will rise to about 83 per cent. in 2008-09. The exact proportions for future years will depend on student demand and the responses of institutions to that demand although it is our policy that public funding for higher education should generally be fairly stable and predictable. In all cases, grant is unhypothecated with institutions free to decide for themselves how to organise and fund tuition for their students.
Strategic Advisory Board for Intellectual Property
Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what the criteria were for the selection of members to the Strategic Advisory Board for Intellectual Property; and what plans he has to make further appointments. [207962]
Ian Pearson: The published selection criteria were: interest in and awareness of IP; commitment to SABIP's work; demonstrable strategic vision; ability to make a significant contribution to SABIP's overall performance and direction; well developed interpersonal skills with the ability to constructively challenge accepted views; outstanding integrity; and demonstrated achievement and standing in the candidate’s field.
The Secretary of State has no immediate plans to make further appointments.
Students: Loans
Mr. Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many people are making repayments on student loans. [199421]
Bill Rammell: The Statistical First Release published by the Student Loans Company in June 2007 showed that in March 2007 there were 253,000 English domiciled income-contingent loan borrowers making repayments, according to the latest tax year returns from HM Revenue and Customs. There were more than 154,000 mortgage-style borrowers ahead or up to date with repayments. In addition a number of mortgage-style borrowers classed as in arrears may have made repayments that did not bring their accounts up to date.
Teachers: Sign Language
Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills whether British Sign Language teachers who do not hold Lifelong Learning UK's new minimum core requirements for teachers in further education will be able to continue teaching. [208120]
Bill Rammell: FE teachers will be able to continue teaching if they have not met the requirements of the minimum core. However, specific conditions may apply, depending on when the teacher was recruited and whether the “Further Education Teachers' Qualifications (England) Regulation (2007) No 2664” apply.
The minimum core provides a benchmark standard for levels of literacy, language, numeracy and ICT for teachers in the FE sector, and is similar to requirements for teaching in schools. This standard ensures that teachers have the basic skills required for effective pedagogy and, where appropriate, to support learners “Skills for Life” needs. Set at Level 2 (GCSE equivalent level), the core is intended to be applied to all teachers new to the FE sector as part of their initial training and development. Evidence of Level 2 personal skills in literacy, numeracy and ICT will also be a condition to achieve licensed practitioner status with the Institute for Learning for new and existing teachers.
Lifelong Learning UK are planning a review of the minimum core requirements for FE teachers to address concerns raised about British Sign Language (BSL) and learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. Planning for the introduction of assessment and evidencing of teachers’ literacy and numeracy personal skills in September 2008, as a requirement to gain licensed practitioner status with the Institute for Learning, is also taking account of these concerns.
Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what assessment he has made of the impact on British Sign Language teachers of Lifelong Learning UK's new minimum core requirements for further education teachers. [208153]
Bill Rammell: The minimum core is a long-standing policy, which has been extensively consulted on and reviewed during the last five years, particularly during development of the FE teaching reforms, which were launched in September 2007.
Following extensive sector consultation by the Further Education National Training Organisation (FENTO), the core became a key component of the FE workforce reforms that were first announced in “Equipping our Teachers for the Future (DfES, 2004)”. Since 2005 it has been the requirement that endorsed initial teacher
training (ITT) courses support development of FE teacher trainees’ minimum core pedagogic skills within their courses. The Department expects ITT providers to contextualise courses appropriately for their learners—including British Sign Language teachers—and make reasonable adjustments for any learning difficulties and/or disabilities. The minimum core was revised in 2007 by the Sector Skills Council for FE staff—Lifelong Learning UK (LLUK)—which succeeded FENTO. This ensured alignment with new LLUK teacher standards and the new mandatory teacher qualifications for the FE sector, which were introduced through regulations that came into force on 1 September 2007.
LLUK is planning a further review of the minimum core requirements for FE teachers, including the impact on specialist such as British Sign Language teachers, and will work with partner organisations in the sector during the process. The Department and LLUK are committed to ensuring that teachers are trained to a standard that all learners deserve.
Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what steps he plans to take to increase the number of qualified British Sign Language teachers and interpreters. [208155]
Bill Rammell: The Department recognises the need to ensure the workforce supporting learners is sufficient and capable to support learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. However, the Government are not the employer of British Sign Language professionals. FE colleges were established as independent organisations following the enactment of the Further and Higher Education Act in 1992. As such, they are responsible for their own HR arrangements, including the recruitment and deployment of staff. Wider FE providers are generally independent organisations, similarly responsible for their own HR arrangements. We expect all FE learning providers to recruit and organise their workforce to meet local circumstances and learner and business needs.
However, in its strategy for learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, “Learning for Living and Work (2006)”, the Learning and Skills Council has stated that it is of prime importance to address workforce development. Importantly, the strategy has identified
where gaps in specialist support occur and LSC is now working with Lifelong Learning UK—as the sector skills council covering FE teachers and support staff—to address these gaps. Detailed plans are still under consideration. A progress report on “Learning for Living and Work” will be published in the summer.
Duchy of Lancaster
Admiralty House
Mr. Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) how much his Department has spent on the ministerial residences in Admiralty House since they became vacant; and for what purpose in each case; [194997]
(2) what expenditure the Cabinet Office has incurred, and for what purpose, in relation to the Ministerial flat in Admiralty House formerly occupied by the right hon. Member of Ashfield since he vacated the property on 30 June 2006. [199269]
Mr. Watson: The Cabinet Office is responsible for meeting council tax charges on the two unoccupied flats. No additional money has been spent.
Central Office of Information: Advertising
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the (a) name, (b) cost and (c) purpose was of each advertising campaign carried out by the Central Office of Information in the most recent year for which information is available. [202364]
Mr. Watson [holding answer 29 April 2008]: COI commissions advertising campaigns for Government Departments and agencies to help them communicate their policies and achieve their objectives.
The most recent year for which information is fully available is 2006-07; information for 2007-08 will not be available until the COI's report and accounts is published in July 2008.
The following table lists the campaigns undertaken by COI on its clients’ behalf during the year:
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