Education: Carers
28th February 2008
Dr. Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what steps he is considering to encourage unpaid carers to access learning opportunities in mainstream education; and if he will make a statement. [189213]
Mr. Lammy: The Department has agreed with the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) that it will produce a special leaflet for learning providers highlighting carer issues and promoting the extra uplift in learner support funding which is available to learning providers. Additionally the LSC will issue a new leaflet produced by the National Institute for Continuing Adult Education (NIACE) which promotes learning for carers. This will be used to promote the opportunities that can be made available to carers.
The Department has contributed to the Employment Task Force review of the New Deal for Carers Strategy with recommendations to improve access to learning for carers. The report is expected to be published in May 2008.
Adult learners, including carers, on low incomes and in receipt of an income-based benefit are entitled to access Further Education (FE) free of charge. In addition adult learners, including carers, with low skills who wish to access basic literacy and numeracy courses, a first full level 2 course or who are aged 19-25 years and who wish to access a first full level 3 course, are entitled to access these courses free of charge. Young people aged 16-18 can access learning opportunities in mainstream education free of charge.
