Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Baroness Burt of Solihull and Matt Hancock

Monday 4th March 2013 Commons Chamber

[Lorely Burt (Solihull) (LD)]

4. What steps he is taking to ensure that the funding formula for school sixth forms and sixth-form colleges is fair and equitable.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Skills (Matthew Hancock)]

In 2010 we committed to ending the historical disparity in post-16 funding so that by 2015 schools and colleges will be funded at the same level as one another for the first time, on a per-pupil basis. Transitional protection will apply for four years from 2011 to give institutions time to adjust.

[Lorely Burt]

I am grateful to the Minister for that answer and to the Secretary of State for his correspondence. In Solihull and elsewhere, differences in funding for sixth-form colleges and state schools are putting sixth-form colleges under great competitive pressure. Will the Minister assure Solihull sixth-form college, and all sixth-form colleges, that he will introduce remedies as quickly as possible?

[Matthew Hancock]

I am a strong supporter of sixth-form colleges, which do excellent work, including Solihull sixth-form college. I congratulate the newly formed all-party parliamentary group on sixth-form colleges. I regularly meet the ministerial working group on post-16 funding to discuss the implementation of the fair per-pupil funding system, and I will bear my hon. Friend’s comments in mind.