Written question asked by Andrew Hunter (Democratic Unionist Party) on Monday, 10 January 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 18 January 2005. It was answered by Kim Howells (Labour) on Tuesday, 18 January 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 measures she plans to take to reduce the funding gap between the college sector and the schools sector. - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures she plans to take to reduce the funding gap between the college sector and the schools sector. [208184] Dr. Howells: Government recognises that there are differences in the funding allocated to further education colleges and school sixth forms and has taken action to address this. For the academic year 2003/04, base funding rates per qualification increased by 3 per cent. for school sixth forms and by 4.5 per cent. for further education colleges on a broadly comparable basis. In 2004/05, funding rates for colleges meeting their targets increased by 5 per cent. while those for school sixth forms rose by 4 per cent. We expect to see this trend continue in the 2005/06 academic year.

Secondary information