Written question asked by Harold Best (Labour) on Tuesday, 15 March 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 22 March 2005. It was answered by Kim Howells (Labour) on Tuesday, 22 March 2005 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Dept for Education and Skills

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what assessment her Department has made of the funding gap between school sixth forms and further education colleges in Leeds; what the timetable is for taking steps to close the gap; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Best: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment her Department has made of the funding gap between school sixth forms and further education colleges in Leeds; what the timetable is for taking steps to close the gap; and if she will make a statement. [222881] Dr. Howells: The Department allocates funds for education and training in the post-16 learning and skills sector to the Learning and Skills Council. The Department does not collect or hold information at the level requested. Government recognise that there are differences in the funding allocated to school sixth forms and further education colleges and has taken action to address this. We have brought up funding levels for further education colleges as we said we would without penalising schools. Our policy has been to continue to bring up the level of funding for colleges, as and when we are able to secure the resources to do so.

Secondary information