Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the higher technical education provider growth fund is accessible to all (1) colleges, and (2) universities.

The Higher Technical Education Provider Growth Fund is open to both Further and Higher Education providers, including independent providers and Institutes of Technology, who meet the eligibility criteria. We are not targeting a particular geographical spread nor provider type, but encouraging applications from providers who are in a strong position to deliver Digital Higher Technical Qualifications from September 2022 onwards and construction and health and science from September 2023.

When we launched the Growth Fund, we targeted our communications at both colleges and universities to raise awareness and promote this opportunity. Ahead of the application window closing on 9 July, we will be engaging further with all provider types to promote and encourage applications.