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Further Education and Training Bill [HL]

moved Amendment No. 2: 2: After Clause 1 , insert the following new Clause— ““Role of the Council Omit sections 2 to 5 of LSA 2000 (main duties and powers).”” The noble Baroness said: This is a probing amendment to explore the extent of the power that the LSC has over further education colleges. There is an amendment in my name to probe the planned reorganisation of the LSC, so I should like to concentrate here on the relationship between the LSC as a whole and FE colleges. The Minister has assured us that the Government have committed to increasing the status of further education colleges. We believe that that means trusting them with enough independence to develop their own focus and methods. We hear a lot in your Lordships’ House about the need for flexibility in giving Ministers the power to make regulations. What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. Further education colleges cannot be expected to respond to local demand for certain skills or courses, or develop their own unique ethos or approach, while being micromanaged by the Learning and Skills Council. At Second Reading, the Minister accepted Sir Andrew Foster’s arguments that the further education system was overregulated. It is certainly overcomplicated, a network of ill defined and competing agencies all with their own agendas. The LSC is the predominant member of this rather large family, and it has the lion’s share of the power and influence over further education colleges. It is therefore extremely regrettable that it is not only an unelected body but unaccountable to students and colleges. I hope—although I am not holding my breath—that the Minister will be able to reassure me that the LSC’s control over colleges will be light-touch and will allow colleges to develop their own ethos and focus. I beg to move.