[holding answer 2 February 2007]: We have increased funding for further education providers by 48 per cent. in real terms between 1997-98 and 2005-06. The following table shows the total spend on FE providers, including colleges, between 1997-98 and 2005-06 and the proportion this represents of the total departmental expenditure including local government formula education spending. Figures for the current 2006-07 academic year will not be available until later in the year.
Total FE spend (£ million) FE spend as a proportion of total departmental spend (Percentage) 1997-98 3,131 9 1998-99 3,101 9 1999-2000 3,300 9 2000-01 3,471 9 2001-02 14,102 9 2002-03 4,400 9 2003-04 4,788 9 2004-05 5,081 9 2005-06 25,590 9 1 There was a significant increase in funding allocated to colleges in 2001-02 (the year in which the LSC was created) compared to 2000-01. This was due to a combination of factors: an increase in full-time equivalent learner volumes compared to previous years, a small increase in non-participation funds allocated to colleges, and a larger increase in capital investment in colleges. 2 Based on estimated outturn. Source: FE expenditure figures from 2001-02 are taken from Table 8.6 of the 2006 Departmental Report. Departmental expenditure figures are taken from Table 8.1 of the 2006 Departmental Report.