To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what activities will be funded under the Adult Learner Responsive sub-total for the Development Learning category in the Strategy Document, Skills Investment Strategy 2010-11, November 2009; and if he will make a statement. (323004)

The Department routes funding through the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) for the provision of further education (FE) and skills training for adult learners aged 19 and over. This includes activity categorised as Developmental Learning through the demand-led Adult Learner Responsive funding stream (ALR).

Developmental Learning may be used to fund learning aims eligible for funding which are not otherwise funded through one of the priority qualification categories which are: Full Level 2, Full Level 3, Level 4, Foundation Learning and Skills for Life.

It can therefore include learning aims for learners with learning difficulties and disabilities not included in any other category, 19+ learners completing a 16 to 18 programme (learners who draw down entitlement funding), trade union studies and initial teacher training.

The actual mix and balance of this activity will depend on learner demand.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment has been made of the level of support and resources the Skills Funding Agency will require for administering the provision of learning for learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities in (a) 2009-10 and (b) 2010-11; and if he will make a statement. (323272)

The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) are currently responsible for funding further education (FE) and training for adult learners aged 19 and over delivered by FE colleges and training organisations. The LSC do not deliver any provision directly.

In 2009/10 academic year the cost of provision for learners aged 19 or over with learning difficulties and/or disabilities (LDD) will be supported through the same adult budgets as those learners without LDD. Learners with LDD in mainstream provision can have their additional support needs met through Additional Learning Support Funding (ALS). For the 2009/10 academic year around £150 million was allocated to FE colleges and training organisations for this purpose. However it should be noted that ALS funding is not solely for learners with LDD and can also be used to meet the needs of other vulnerable groups.

Funding allocations for 2010/11 academic year are currently under way. It is therefore not possible to provide information on a funding amount at this stage.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what criteria will be used to establish which learners will be covered by the provision of the Adult Learner Responsive sub-total for the Foundation Learning (excluding Skills for Life) category in the Strategy Document, Skills Investment Strategy 2010-11, November 2009; and if he will make a statement. (323273)

The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) is responsible for the funding of further education (FE) and training for adult learners aged 19 and over.

Foundation learning (excluding Skills for Life) funded through the Adult Learner Responsive budget includes nationally accredited provision outside of Skills for Life at entry level and Level 1. Programmes funded through the ALR budget are delivered wholly on the FE college or training organisation's premises. The type of learners funded through this route will vary depending on the needs of learners within each local area.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what type of provision will be provided by the Adult Learner Responsive sub-total for the Foundation Learning (excluding Skills for Life) category in the Strategy Document, Skills Investment Strategy 2010-11, November 2009; and if he will make a statement. (323274)

The Foundation Learning Curriculum helps people currently learning at Entry Level and Level 1 to progress to Level 2.

The curriculum offers a skills combination designed to enhance employability, increase confidence in learning and, in the case of learners with learning difficulties or disabilities, lead to independent living. It comprises three elements: vocational training, functional skills in English, maths and ICT and personal and social development skills. Adult learners will not have to take all three elements, but will be able to tailor their learning, building up a personalised skills set to suit their individual needs and aspirations.