The Government has agreed to set aside Pounds 700 million for education and training under the New Deal to get people back to work over the lifetime of this Parliament.
Employment minister Andrew Smith revealed the figure in an exclusive interview with The TES. He also said that the scheme would be flexible enough to allow the jobless to study up to degree level.
He said the emphasis would be on basic skills and giving unqualified people a second chance. But he insisted that the scheme would not be restricted to low-level training.
“Where there is a demonstrable link between education and training for employability, there has to be flexibility to go to NVQ level 3 and beyond. There should be no limit.”
FE Focus, page 27
