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Written question asked by Helen Goodman (Labour) on Friday, 10 October 2014, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 14 October 2014. It was answered by Nick Boles (Conservative) on Friday, 17 October 2014 on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Community Education: Finance

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how the Community Learning Fund is distributed; and what projects that Fund currently supports.

Answer

BIS contributes £210m pa to support community learning (CL) via the Community Learning budget, which is managed by the Skills Funding Agency. Funding is allocated via a grant arrangement with 315 learning providers, including Local Authority adult education services, Further Education colleges, and voluntary sector organisations. Many learning providers work with local sub-contractors.

The CL budget helps to support an on-going adult education offer in every area, rather than short term projects. Community Learning courses:

· meet a variety of learning needs, from personal development to pre-employment skills, health and wellbeing, parenting skills, crafts and languages

· are free - or nearly free - for people who are disadvantaged, with more affluent learners paying according to their means

· use flexible teaching and learning approaches and take place in accessible local venues in order to engage a wide range of people, including those who are very disadvantaged

· have varied outcomes, including improved confidence, better mental/physical health, confident parenting and progression to formal training and/or employment.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
209840
Session
2014-15
Subjects
Finance Community education
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk