The UK Government is aware that some Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) have faced difficulties in India due to the strict application of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). HMG officials have discussed FCRA-related issues with the Government of India and continue to monitor developments, especially the impact on the work of British NGOs in India. The British High Commission in New Delhi regularly engages NGOs and continues to support a wide range of local NGO partners in-country, including through direct programmes. The High Commission does not provide tailored guidance on FCRA-related issues.

The Commonwealth is home to a wide range of charitable organisations. Through a Commonwealth Secretariat led process, eligible charities, including those based in the UK, can become recognised as Commonwealth Accredited Organisation. Accreditation includes a range of benefits to the organisation and provides a platform for enhanced Commonwealth engagement. The charity sector, as a whole, plays an important role across the Commonwealth.

The UK Government is aware that some Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) have faced difficulties in India due to the strict application of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). HMG officials have discussed FCRA-related issues with the Government of India and continue to monitor developments, especially the impact on the work of British NGOs in India. The British High Commission in New Delhi regularly engages NGOs and continues to support a wide range of local NGO partners in-country, including through direct programmes. The High Commission does not provide tailored guidance on FCRA-related issues.

The UK Government is aware that some Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) have faced difficulties in India due to the strict application of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). HMG officials have discussed FCRA-related issues with the Government of India and continue to monitor developments, especially the impact on the work of British NGOs in India. The British High Commission in New Delhi regularly engages NGOs and continues to support a wide range of local NGO partners in-country, including through direct programmes. The High Commission does not provide tailored guidance on FCRA-related issues.

The UK Government is aware that some Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) have faced difficulties in India due to the strict application of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). HMG officials have discussed FCRA-related issues with the Government of India and continue to monitor developments, especially the impact on the work of British NGOs in India. The British High Commission in New Delhi regularly engages NGOs and continues to support a wide range of local NGO partners in-country, including through direct programmes. The High Commission does not provide tailored guidance on FCRA-related issues.

My Lords, discussions are under way with stakeholders to inform the Disabled Students’ Allowance guidance for the autumn. Our current intention is that students with dyslexia, alongside other disabled students, will continue to undertake an assessment with a study needs assessor. The term “complex” in the Question does not relate to the nature of the student’s disability; rather, it relates to the range of support needed to address the barriers to their learning.

Extensive discussions are underway with a wide range of stakeholders to help inform the Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSA) Guidance for 2015/16, due this autumn. The guidance will set out the conditions under which DSA will apply. Students will continue to undergo individual study needs assessments, but their needs will be met by DSA and Higher Education Institutions through their duties under the Equality Act.

Extensive discussions are underway with a wide range of stakeholders to help inform the Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSA) Guidance for 2015/16, due this autumn. The guidance will set out the conditions under which DSA will apply. Students will continue to undergo individual study needs assessments, but their needs will be met by DSA and Higher Education Institutions through their duties under the Equality Act.

There are no proposed changes to the current process of assessment. All applicants for the Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs) will undertake a study needs assessment and independent study needs assessors will provide recommendations, giving due regard to personal histories of recognised special educational needs, where these have been provided. The support and strategies recommended by assessment centres will be provided by a combination of reasonable adjustments by Higher Education Institutions and DSAs.

There are no proposed changes to the current process of assessment. All applicants for the Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs) will undertake a study needs assessment and independent study needs assessors will provide recommendations, giving due regard to personal histories of recognised special educational needs, where these have been provided. The support and strategies recommended by assessment centres will be provided by a combination of reasonable adjustments by Higher Education Institutions and DSAs.

Computers and software are drawn from the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) specialist equipment allowance where a student has been assessed to receive these items. Other items that can be drawn from this allowance include certain items of specialist ergonomic equipment. For the 2013/14

academic year, the maximum amount available to a student from this allowance for the whole course is £5,212 for full time and part time students. There is one single DSA allowance of £10,362 for postgraduate students, from which computers and software can be drawn.

Higher Education Institutions will be expected to provide reasonable adjustments under the duties placed upon them by the Equality Act 2010. Disabled Students’ Allowances will remain available where additional support is required to enable disabled students to access their studies successfully.

Discussions are underway with experts in the sector. Disabled students whose needs cannot be met by the reasonable adjustments made by Higher Education Institutions will continue to receive support through Disabled Students’ Allowances.

Discussions are underway with the higher education sector to ensure they are ready to meet their legal duties under the Equality Act 2010 by 2015.

The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) is currently undertaking a review of provision and support for disabled students in higher education.

Learning providers and awarding organisations have specific duties under the Equality Act. Part 9 of the Act sets out the proceedings that can be brought and the remedies that can be awarded in the event of any breach.

The next Skills Funding Statement will include a statement to remind training providers of their Equality Act duties. Awarding organisations are also liable to enforcement action by Ofqual if they fail to comply with formal regulatory requirements over equality.

Ofqual has been working with awarding organisations and disability groups including the British Dyslexia Association to address current problems with the incompatibility of some assessment products with assistive technology.

Guidance on reasonable adjustments is available from awarding organisations; many use the comprehensive guidance produced by the Joint Council for Qualifications. Ofqual is responsible for regulating qualifications.

Apprentices with learning difficulties or disabilities who did not pass a Key Skills qualification are already able to take a Functional Skills qualification. We have made arrangements for the Apprenticeship Certification Authority, FISSS to award an apprenticeship certificate when candidates in these circumstances achieve the relevant Functional Skills qualification(s) even if they completed the other parts of the apprenticeship some time earlier.

Full funding for study towards Functional Skills qualifications is available for adults who do not already have level 2 qualifications in English and maths. Individuals should contact their local college or training provider to enquire about eligibility for funding and enrolling on a functional skills course.

We are working with Ofqual to ensure that there is good information for candidates about complaints, retakes and appeals, including material on the appropriate websites. We are commissioning advice for disabled apprentices on reasonable adjustments, including assistive technology; this will be published on the National Apprenticeship Service website.

Learning providers and awarding organisations have specific duties under the Equality Act. Part 9 of the Act sets out the proceedings that can be brought and the remedies that can be awarded in the event of any breach.

The next Skills Funding Statement will include a statement to remind training providers of their Equality Act duties. Awarding organisations are also liable to enforcement action by Ofqual if they fail to comply with formal regulatory requirements over equality.

Ofqual has been working with awarding organisations and disability groups including the British Dyslexia Association to address current problems with the incompatibility of some assessment products with assistive technology.

Guidance on reasonable adjustments is available from awarding organisations; many use the comprehensive guidance produced by the Joint Council for Qualifications. Ofqual is responsible for regulating qualifications.

Apprentices with learning difficulties or disabilities who did not pass a Key Skills qualification are already able to take a Functional Skills qualification. We have made arrangements for the Apprenticeship Certification Authority, FISSS to award an apprenticeship certificate when candidates in these circumstances achieve the relevant Functional Skills qualification(s) even if they completed the other parts of the apprenticeship some time earlier.

Full funding for study towards Functional Skills qualifications is available for adults who do not already have level 2 qualifications in English and maths. Individuals should contact their local college or training provider to enquire about eligibility for funding and enrolling on a functional skills course.

We are working with Ofqual to ensure that there is good information for candidates about complaints, retakes and appeals, including material on the appropriate websites. We are commissioning advice for disabled apprentices on reasonable adjustments, including assistive technology; this will be published on the National Apprenticeship Service website.

Learning providers and awarding organisations have specific duties under the Equality Act. Part 9 of the Act sets out the proceedings that can be brought and the remedies that can be awarded in the event of any breach.

The next Skills Funding Statement will include a statement to remind training providers of their Equality Act duties. Awarding organisations are also liable to enforcement action by Ofqual if they fail to comply with formal regulatory requirements over equality.

Ofqual has been working with awarding organisations and disability groups including the British Dyslexia Association to address current problems with the incompatibility of some assessment products with assistive technology.

Guidance on reasonable adjustments is available from awarding organisations; many use the comprehensive guidance produced by the Joint Council for Qualifications. Ofqual is responsible for regulating qualifications.

Apprentices with learning difficulties or disabilities who did not pass a Key Skills qualification are already able to take a Functional Skills qualification. We have made arrangements for the Apprenticeship Certification Authority, FISSS to award an apprenticeship certificate when candidates in these circumstances achieve the relevant Functional Skills qualification(s) even if they completed the other parts of the apprenticeship some time earlier.

Full funding for study towards Functional Skills qualifications is available for adults who do not already have level 2 qualifications in English and maths. Individuals should contact their local college or training provider to enquire about eligibility for funding and enrolling on a functional skills course.

We are working with Ofqual to ensure that there is good information for candidates about complaints, retakes and appeals, including material on the appropriate websites. We are commissioning advice for disabled apprentices on reasonable adjustments, including assistive technology; this will be published on the National Apprenticeship Service website.

Learning providers and awarding organisations have specific duties under the Equality Act. Part 9 of the Act sets out the proceedings that can be brought and the remedies that can be awarded in the event of any breach.

The next Skills Funding Statement will include a statement to remind training providers of their Equality Act duties. Awarding organisations are also liable to enforcement action by Ofqual if they fail to comply with formal regulatory requirements over equality.

Ofqual has been working with awarding organisations and disability groups including the British Dyslexia Association to address current problems with the incompatibility of some assessment products with assistive technology.

Guidance on reasonable adjustments is available from awarding organisations; many use the comprehensive guidance produced by the Joint Council for Qualifications. Ofqual is responsible for regulating qualifications.

Apprentices with learning difficulties or disabilities who did not pass a Key Skills qualification are already able to take a Functional Skills qualification. We have made arrangements for the Apprenticeship Certification Authority, FISSS to award an apprenticeship certificate when candidates in these circumstances achieve the relevant Functional Skills qualification(s) even if they completed the other parts of the apprenticeship some time earlier.

Full funding for study towards Functional Skills qualifications is available for adults who do not already have level 2 qualifications in English and maths. Individuals should contact their local college or training provider to enquire about eligibility for funding and enrolling on a functional skills course.

We are working with Ofqual to ensure that there is good information for candidates about complaints, retakes and appeals, including material on the appropriate websites. We are commissioning advice for disabled apprentices on reasonable adjustments, including assistive technology; this will be published on the National Apprenticeship Service website.

Learning providers and awarding organisations have specific duties under the Equality Act. Part 9 of the Act sets out the proceedings that can be brought and the remedies that can be awarded in the event of any breach.

The next Skills Funding Statement will include a statement to remind training providers of their Equality Act duties. Awarding organisations are also liable to enforcement action by Ofqual if they fail to comply with formal regulatory requirements over equality.

Ofqual has been working with awarding organisations and disability groups including the British Dyslexia Association to address current problems with the incompatibility of some assessment products with assistive technology.

Guidance on reasonable adjustments is available from awarding organisations; many use the comprehensive guidance produced by the Joint Council for Qualifications. Ofqual is responsible for regulating qualifications.

Apprentices with learning difficulties or disabilities who did not pass a Key Skills qualification are already able to take a Functional Skills qualification. We have made arrangements for the Apprenticeship Certification Authority, FISSS to award an apprenticeship certificate when candidates in these circumstances achieve the relevant Functional Skills qualification(s) even if they completed the other parts of the apprenticeship some time earlier.

Full funding for study towards Functional Skills qualifications is available for adults who do not already have level 2 qualifications in English and maths. Individuals should contact their local college or training provider to enquire about eligibility for funding and enrolling on a functional skills course.

We are working with Ofqual to ensure that there is good information for candidates about complaints, retakes and appeals, including material on the appropriate websites. We are commissioning advice for disabled apprentices on reasonable adjustments, including assistive technology; this will be published on the National Apprenticeship Service website.

Learning providers and awarding organisations have specific duties under the Equality Act. Part 9 of the Act sets out the proceedings that can be brought and the remedies that can be awarded in the event of any breach.

The next Skills Funding Statement will include a statement to remind training providers of their Equality Act duties. Awarding organisations are also liable to enforcement action by Ofqual if they fail to comply with formal regulatory requirements over equality.

Ofqual has been working with awarding organisations and disability groups including the British Dyslexia Association to address current problems with the incompatibility of some assessment products with assistive technology.

Guidance on reasonable adjustments is available from awarding organisations; many use the comprehensive guidance produced by the Joint Council for Qualifications. Ofqual is responsible for regulating qualifications.

Apprentices with learning difficulties or disabilities who did not pass a Key Skills qualification are already able to take a Functional Skills qualification. We have made arrangements for the Apprenticeship Certification Authority, FISSS to award an apprenticeship certificate when candidates in these circumstances achieve the relevant Functional Skills qualification(s) even if they completed the other parts of the apprenticeship some time earlier.

Full funding for study towards Functional Skills qualifications is available for adults who do not already have level 2 qualifications in English and maths. Individuals should contact their local college or training provider to enquire about eligibility for funding and enrolling on a functional skills course.

We are working with Ofqual to ensure that there is good information for candidates about complaints, retakes and appeals, including material on the appropriate websites. We are commissioning advice for disabled apprentices on reasonable adjustments, including assistive technology; this will be published on the National Apprenticeship Service website.