Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to Reviewing post-16 Education and Training Institutions, published by his Department on 20 July 2015, whether he plans to include (a) free schools for 16 to 19 year olds and (b) university technical colleges in the area reviews of post-16 education and training announced in that document; and if he will make a statement.

The Area reviews which were announced on 20 July are primarily focused on further education and sixth form colleges to ensure that there is a high quality and financially resilient set of colleges in each area. However each review will consider a broader analysis of the wider post -16 provision including school and university offer. Under the guidance that we have published on 8 September we have set out the process and expectation that other providers, such as free schools with 16-19 provision and university technical colleges can opt in to the review process.

We expect the analysis about providers not in scope to help in wider deliberations about the area which will be considered by the Regional Schools Commissioner, local authorities, Local Enterprise Partnerships and of course the providers themselves