To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many people aged between (a) 30 and 39, (b) 40 and 49, (c) 50 and 59 and (d) 60 years and above completed an equivalent or lower qualification in (i) 2007, (ii) 2006 and (iii) 2005. (178122)

The data are not held centrally to answer this question in precisely the way it has been asked. However, in 2006-07, there were some 32,000 students aged between 30 and 39 and some 45,000 students aged 40 and over studying equivalent or lower level students. All existing students studying for such qualifications will continue to attract institutional funding until they complete their courses. The redistribution of about £100 million by 2010 away from those entering higher education to study for such qualifications will increase and widen participation and enable the Government to support over 20,000 new students (on a full-time equivalent basis) more than would otherwise have been the case either entering higher education for the first time or progressing to higher degrees.