Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will assess the potential merits of making affordable loans available to further education colleges in order to stimulate investment in the estate of such colleges.

Further education colleges are independent and can access commercial loans and funding from the Local Growth Fund to invest in their estates.

The Government is providing financial support to colleges undergoing restructuring following Area Reviews. Through the Restructuring Facility there may be the opportunity to access additional investment by creating sustainable institutions.

There are no plans to provide further loan facilities.