Body responsible for FE in the UK happy with recommendations

The body responsible for post-16 learning in the UK has accepted and welcomed the release of yesterday’s House of Commons report on the state of further education.

In an exclusive statement for FE News, Director of Strategy and Communications at the Learning and Skills Council, Rob Wye, stated: “We welcome the Select Committee’s interest in and support for Further Education reform. Colleges and other providers are the bedrock of a dynamic and competitive economy and they need to be recognised as such”.

“The LSC has submitted evidence to the committee on the work that we are already doing to cut down on red tape and boost quality through our radical reform programme agenda for change. The aims of the agenda are to reduce bureaucracy and simplify funding and data mechanisms”.

The report revealed that up to £40 million worth of funding intended for LSC administration was redistributed to the “frontline”, with Ministers accepting that this was “a significant development”.

Mr Wye continued: “We have also cut down on the cost of administration through our own internal transformation and have freed up funds to spend on front line learners”.

“We will be working with the DfES to take the Committee’s views into account as we take forward the LSC’s agenda for change programme and implement the FE White Paper”.

And in a related statement, the National Union of Students has expressed its satisfaction on the release of the Committee’s analysis.

Ellie Russell, Vice President of Further Education, said: “We are really pleased with many of the recommendations made”.

The NUS contributed evidence for the report, which was published yesterday amidst mixed reviews.

“We have been saying for a long time now how important it is for the learner voice to be heard and recognised, and once again, those in the halls of power have echoed our views”, she added.

“The work that the Government has already done in relation to strengthening the learner voice is making a real difference and we welcome the steps that have already been taken.”

Annabel Hardy.

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