My Lords, I, too, thank the Government very much for the lengthy discussions that we have had on these issues. I also congratulate them on the outcome, which is extremely satisfactory. We now have incorporated into the Bill a very clear definition of the concept of apprenticeship which applies equally...

My Lords, I, too, thank the Government very much for the lengthy discussions that we have had on these issues. I also congratulate them on the outcome, which is extremely satisfactory. We now have incorporated into the Bill a very clear definition of the concept of apprenticeship which applies equally...

My Lords, I am extremely grateful to the Minister for this very positive reaction to the amendments that we tabled in Committee and for the clarification that he has given on the functions of the chief executive of the Skills Funding Agency and of the YPLA in relation to the...

My Lords, I am extremely grateful to the Minister for this very positive reaction to the amendments that we tabled in Committee and for the clarification that he has given on the functions of the chief executive of the Skills Funding Agency and of the YPLA in relation to the...

My Lords, we, too, are pleased with these technical amendments which iron out one or two discrepancies in the Bill, and we are particularly pleased that they have removed the subsections relating to disproportionate expenditure. We shared all the feelings expressed by the noble Lord, Lord Rix. The wording was...

My Lords, we, too, are pleased with these technical amendments which iron out one or two discrepancies in the Bill, and we are particularly pleased that they have removed the subsections relating to disproportionate expenditure. We shared all the feelings expressed by the noble Lord, Lord Rix. The wording was...

My Lords, we have a great deal of sympathy with this amendment. It seems reasonable that, should a local authority wish to place a student in a college, it should at least consult the college before placing them there. It is well known that, where there are difficult pupils, there...

My Lords, we have a great deal of sympathy with this amendment. It seems reasonable that, should a local authority wish to place a student in a college, it should at least consult the college before placing them there. It is well known that, where there are difficult pupils, there...

Before the Minister sits down, I seek clarification on her response to Amendment 52. She says that she will come back at Third Reading, but that she opposes the idea of having a formal assessment when the young person leaves detention—let us say at the six-month stage. As my noble...

Before the Minister sits down, I seek clarification on her response to Amendment 52. She says that she will come back at Third Reading, but that she opposes the idea of having a formal assessment when the young person leaves detention—let us say at the six-month stage. As my noble...

67: Before Clause 59, insert the following new Clause— "Free college meals (1) A local education authority may provide registered students at— (a) a sixth form college, or (b) a further education college who are over compulsory school age, but under 19, with free meals. (2) Where provision is made...

67: Before Clause 59, insert the following new Clause— "Free college meals (1) A local education authority may provide registered students at— (a) a sixth form college, or (b) a further education college who are over compulsory school age, but under 19, with free meals. (2) Where provision is made...

I shall speak also to Amendments 74, 75 and 80, and shall comment on government amendments that also fall within this grouping. Our amendments fall into two groups. Amendments 67 and 74 both raise issues of equity. Amendment 67 asks that young people who have been receiving free school meals...

I shall speak also to Amendments 74, 75 and 80, and shall comment on government amendments that also fall within this grouping. Our amendments fall into two groups. Amendments 67 and 74 both raise issues of equity. Amendment 67 asks that young people who have been receiving free school meals...

My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for his very positive response and thank him for it. The three issues that concerned me included two issues of equity, one of which was the disparity over school meals. I am glad that he has given an assurance that, within the...

My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for his very positive response and thank him for it. The three issues that concerned me included two issues of equity, one of which was the disparity over school meals. I am glad that he has given an assurance that, within the...

My Lords, we have a great deal of sympathy with the two amendments from the noble Lord, Lord Layard. Regarding Amendment 110, it is really illogical that the Government are not encouraging the expected progression. The noble Lord, Lord Layard, has pointed out that he does not want the provision...

My Lords, we have a great deal of sympathy with the two amendments from the noble Lord, Lord Layard. Regarding Amendment 110, it is really illogical that the Government are not encouraging the expected progression. The noble Lord, Lord Layard, has pointed out that he does not want the provision...

As I understand it, there will be one capital programme for further education, which will be divided between the SFA and the YPLA. Since the SFA is not an NDPB, it will not receive a remit letter. How will this be dealt with as regards the SFA? If the programme...

As I understand it, there will be one capital programme for further education, which will be divided between the SFA and the YPLA. Since the SFA is not an NDPB, it will not receive a remit letter. How will this be dealt with as regards the SFA? If the programme...

I am extremely grateful to the Minister. It would be good if he could take this away. The whole college sector would be much encouraged by that. I know in these days of the credit crunch and so forth it will not be easy, but it would be encouraging for...

I am extremely grateful to the Minister. It would be good if he could take this away. The whole college sector would be much encouraged by that. I know in these days of the credit crunch and so forth it will not be easy, but it would be encouraging for...

I had not expected the Minister to respond as positively to all the amendments in this group and we are very grateful to her. Obviously we shall await the government amendments before we decide where we stand on this issue. She has promised them for the Report stage and I...

I had not expected the Minister to respond as positively to all the amendments in this group and we are very grateful to her. Obviously we shall await the government amendments before we decide where we stand on this issue. She has promised them for the Report stage and I...

My Lords, my name is down with that of the noble Baroness, Lady Verma, and the noble Lord, Lord De Mauley, as questioning whether Clause 58 should stand part. In addition, within this group, we have tabled a number of amendments—Amendments 146B to E, 153ZA, 155A, 161A and 161B. I...

My Lords, my name is down with that of the noble Baroness, Lady Verma, and the noble Lord, Lord De Mauley, as questioning whether Clause 58 should stand part. In addition, within this group, we have tabled a number of amendments—Amendments 146B to E, 153ZA, 155A, 161A and 161B. I...

My Lords, I support the amendment. As the Minister will know, colleges have been much embarrassed by the developments in the college capital building programme this year. I believe that I am right in saying that because the colleges span both 16-to-19 and adult provision, the capital programme for colleges...

My Lords, I support the amendment. As the Minister will know, colleges have been much embarrassed by the developments in the college capital building programme this year. I believe that I am right in saying that because the colleges span both 16-to-19 and adult provision, the capital programme for colleges...

Amendment 153 153: Clause 59, page 44, line 21, at end insert— "( ) The YPLA shall ensure that by 2010–11 the funding base rates per standard learner number for school sixth forms and further education colleges are equivalent."

Amendment 153 153: Clause 59, page 44, line 21, at end insert— "( ) The YPLA shall ensure that by 2010–11 the funding base rates per standard learner number for school sixth forms and further education colleges are equivalent."

My Lords, Amendment 153 was debated in the Commons but we feel it is worth bringing forward here because we were not satisfied with the answer that came from the Commons. The numbers studying for A-levels and other level 2 and 3 qualifications in FE colleges and sixth-form colleges are...

My Lords, Amendment 153 was debated in the Commons but we feel it is worth bringing forward here because we were not satisfied with the answer that came from the Commons. The numbers studying for A-levels and other level 2 and 3 qualifications in FE colleges and sixth-form colleges are...

I thank the Minister for his response, but it is not a very adequate one. I congratulate him on reducing the figure from 14 per cent in 2004-05 to 6 per cent now—that is an 8 per cent reduction. Yes, that is good. However, I had hoped he would say...

I thank the Minister for his response, but it is not a very adequate one. I congratulate him on reducing the figure from 14 per cent in 2004-05 to 6 per cent now—that is an 8 per cent reduction. Yes, that is good. However, I had hoped he would say...

The noble Baroness, Lady Perry, mentioned the education maintenance allowance. That is paid to school students as well as to college students so, with regard to equity, it is not a question of students getting the allowance and paying for their meals with it. The amendment would put college students...

The noble Baroness, Lady Perry, mentioned the education maintenance allowance. That is paid to school students as well as to college students so, with regard to equity, it is not a question of students getting the allowance and paying for their meals with it. The amendment would put college students...

Amendment 107 107: After Clause 43, insert the following new Clause— "Free meals for 16 to 18 year olds in colleges (1) A local education authority may provide registered students at— (a) a sixth form college; or (b) a further education college, who are over compulsory school age, but under...

Amendment 107 107: After Clause 43, insert the following new Clause— "Free meals for 16 to 18 year olds in colleges (1) A local education authority may provide registered students at— (a) a sixth form college; or (b) a further education college, who are over compulsory school age, but under...

This set of amendments is about consultation, asking that local authorities and the chief executive for skills funding consult with employers, trade associations, chambers of commerce and sector skills councils about what sort of training is needed for the local workforce in any particular area. Amendment 93 relates to Clause...

This set of amendments is about consultation, asking that local authorities and the chief executive for skills funding consult with employers, trade associations, chambers of commerce and sector skills councils about what sort of training is needed for the local workforce in any particular area. Amendment 93 relates to Clause...