To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what estimate has been made of the number of learners with a learning difficulty and/or a learning disability whose education provision will be funded by the Young People's Learning Agency in (a) 2009-10 and (b) 2010-11; and if he will make a statement. (322358)

[holding answer 15 March 2010]: The number of learners aged 16 to 18 learning in mainstream provision with a self-declared learning difficulty and/or disability has been around 120,000 each year from 2006/07 to 2008/09 academic year. These were funded through the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). The figure includes 4,000 in specialist provision, and it is estimated there are around 4,000 in the age group 19 to 25 with high level needs. Estimates for future numbers are based on this evidence.

For the 2010/11 academic year responsibility for funding learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities aged 16 to 18 and between 19 and 25 with high-level needs will pass to the Young People's Learning Agency and local authorities.