To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills when a decision will be taken on the funding rules for students studying for equivalent or lower qualifications in the years after 2010-11. (219462)

[holding answer 21 July 2008]: Our ELQ policy is a balanced one. We are reinvesting resources to benefit those who have not already obtained a higher education qualification. Yet over two thirds of the current level of HEFCE grant for ELQ students will continue to be invested in supporting them in 2010-11. All we have asked HEFCE to do is to redistribute about £100 million a year by 2010-11 in order to fund over 20,000 extra new entrants to higher education. We have made no decisions to redirect further funding beyond 2010-11.

Future decisions will be taken as part of the next Spending Review, whose timetable has not yet been announced.