To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to his speech on Second Reading of the Further Education and Training Bill on 21 May 2007, Official Report, columns 994-1003, what modelling has been undertaken by his Department which shows that (a) more students will take foundation degrees if further education (FE) colleges are able to award them and (b) FE colleges will be able to respond more quickly to the needs of employers if the Bill is enacted. (141243)

[holding answer 11 June 2007]: We have not undertaken “modelling” to show this. Our decision to introduce new powers for the leading colleges to award their own foundation degrees was based on discussions with providers and employers; and is consistent too with our general view that education providers in all sectors perform better the less they are subject to restriction. The legislation removes an unnecessary constraint on the leading providers of foundation degrees within the FE sector, while establishing strong safeguards to protect quality and the international reputation of our degrees.