To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what progress he has made on fostering dialogue at an (a) regional and (b) national level between the Higher Education Funding Council for England and the Learning and Skills Council, with particular reference to their duties (i) to fund and (ii) to plan higher education provision in further education colleges; what programmes are in place to support this policy; how much has been allocated to them; and if he will make a statement. (105512)

The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) and the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) both have overall budgets in excess of £6 billion and are responsible for funding prescribed and non-prescribed higher education respectively in further education colleges. Neither body has planning responsibilities for higher education since we believe that, instead of a planned approach, every higher education provider must establish and sustain a competitive position in strong markets. However, LSC and HEFCE staff meet regularly with the Department to explore how partnership working can be enhanced across a range of areas, including student progression from further to higher education, which is important as we increase and widen participation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of the Higher Education Funding Council for England’s budget was spent on the employment of management consultants in the last financial year. (105514)

The Higher Education Funding Council for England spent 0.004 per cent. of their budget on management consultants in the last financial year.