To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer of 29 March 2007, Official Report, column 1685W, how the percentage of the train to gain budget not accounted for by training and skills brokerage is spent. (133090)

Train to gain is a new service aimed at supporting business improve their productivity through increased investment in the skills of their workforce. By the end of February 2007, more than 30,000 employers have engaged their workforce in training with more than 107,000 learners engaged on training activity. Almost 70 per cent. of these were employers that fell within the definition of hard to reach.

For 2006-07, the total budget for train to gain was £281 million of which a total of £269.5 million was allocated to training and brokerage. The remaining budget is allocated to marketing and communications, evaluation and administration. In 2007-08, the planned budget is £414.4 million, of which £397.4 million is planned for training and brokerage. The remainder will be allocated to marketing and communications, evaluation and administration.