Written question asked by Lord Harper (Conservative) on Tuesday, 16 March 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 22 March 2010. It was answered by Lord Brennan of Canton (Labour) on Monday, 22 March 2010 on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Adult Education: Finance

Question: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment has been made of the level of support and resources the Skills Funding Agency will require for administering the provision of learning for learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities in (a) 2009-10 and (b) 2010-11; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) are currently responsible for funding further education (FE) and training for adult learners aged 19 and over delivered by FE colleges and training organisations. The LSC do not deliver any provision directly.In 2009/10 academic year the cost of provision for learners aged 19 or over with learning difficulties and/or disabilities (LDD) will be supported through the same adult budgets as those learners without LDD. Learners with LDD in mainstream provision can have their additional support needs met through Additional Learning Support Funding (ALS). For the 2009/10 academic year around £150 million was allocated to FE colleges and training organisations for this purpose. However it should be noted that ALS funding is not solely for learners with LDD and can also be used to meet the needs of other vulnerable groups.Funding allocations for 2010/11 academic year are currently under way. It is therefore not possible to provide information on a funding amount at this stage.

Secondary information