Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Baroness Valentine (Crossbench). It was answered by Lord Young of Norwood Green (Labour) on Monday, 20 April 2009.

Education: Further Education Building Programme

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government following Sir Andrew Foster’s recent report and given their aspiration to accelerate infrastructure investment, when the further education college building programme will resume. My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper. In doing so, I declare an interest as chief executive of London First, a not-for-profit organisation that includes further education colleges in its membership.

Answer: My Lords, Sir Andrew Foster’s key finding was that a "good policy" had been, ""compromised by the manner of its implementation"." We have fully accepted all of his recommendations, including the need to, ""agree how the present demand-led approach to the programme is replaced by a needs-based approach with explicit priorities and choice criteria"." The LSC is now consulting the sector on the approach that should be used in prioritising schemes. This work will be taken forward urgently in order to bring clarity on the position as soon as possible.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 709 c1241
Session: 2008-09
Oral question type: Lead
Chamber / Committee: House of Lords chamber
Subjects: Construction Capital investment Further education Building colleges for the future programme Capital Programme in Further Education Review
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk