Government's FE policy agenda in jeopardy if budget ignores funding crisis

In a joint letter from the further education unions,  Alistair Darling was warned that an unprecedented shortfall in funding could leave many further education colleges unable to deliver. 'In the current economic situation we believe that it is entirely appropriate, indeed necessary, to give further funding support,' the unions say, 'in order to meet the government's stated aims of supporting people through difficult economic times and stimulating the economy through investment in capital programmes for the future.'

The unions are deeply concerned at the building crisis in further education that threatens as many as 144 building projects, and over 10,000 jobs in the construction industry. The letter warns that 'many colleges have already invested considerable sums in preliminary work, in order to have been able to submit to the LSC capital proposals for approval. If these proposals now do not go forward, then the impact on colleges may be very serious in terms of their financial position.'

The letter also draws attention to the existing funding allocations for 16-18 year-olds, which are not sufficient to meet the current and anticipated demand for places by young people: 'We have been advised that the additional resources required to fund this growth in participation will need to be identified in your budget.'

The unions are also worried by the  potential crisis with Train to Gain funding following warnings from the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). 'We understand that many colleges have already had their Train to Gain funding frozen or reduced. We are extremely concerned that cuts in the government's flagship training programme will create severe financial difficulties for many colleges,' the unions say.

• read the letter to the chancellor in full [156kb]
• see also UCU's bulletin to branches on the funding situation, along with a list of colleges affected by the buildings programme here [162kb]