SkillsActive on the Spending Review and Pre-Budget Report

Will Pickering, SkillsActive - 11/10/2007

The Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) outlined the reformed and streamlined public service agreements (PSA) which outline the highest priorities for the government.

Key PSA targets for our sector include:

“A new PSA to improve the skills of the population, on the way to ensuring a world-class skills base by 2020, which sets stretching national targets to support working age individuals to acquire the skills they need to succeed at all levels, from functional numeracy and literacy, qualifications at further and higher levels and apprenticeships.”

“A new PSA to build more cohesive, empowered and active communities, which aims to create thriving places in there are shared values and a sense of belonging – people’s perceptions of their local communities will be key to measuring progress, alongside commitments to increase participation through volunteering and in a wide variety of cultural and sporting activities.”

“A new PSA to deliver a successful Olympic Games and Paralympic Games with a sustainable legacy and get more children and young people taking part in high quality PE and sport which will drive delivery of the Olympic park and venues, bring a focus on maximising the legacy and sets out a commitment that, in addition to at least 2 hours per week of high quality PE and Sport in school for all 5-16 year olds, all children and young people aged 5-19 will be offered opportunities to participate in a further 3 hours per week of sporting activities.”

The CSR has provided the Department for Innovation, University and Skills with a budget of £18.7 billion for 2008-009, rising to £20.8 billion by 2010.

£5.3 billion will be provided yearly by 2010-11 to increase adult skills and apprenticeships, against the ambitions of the Leitch review. The funds hope to deliver 3.7 million adult qualifications up until 2011.

Expenditure on the Train to Gain service is expected to rise from £460 million in 2007-08 to over £900 million in 2010-11.

Specific targets on skills include:

• 597,000 people of working age to achieve a first level 1 or above literacy qualification, and 390,000 to achieve a first entry level 3 or above numeracy qualification.
• 79% of working age adults qualified to at least full Level 2
• 56% of working age adults qualified to at least full level 3
• 130,000 apprentices to complete the full apprenticeship framework in 2010 -11
• 36% of working age adults qualified to Level 43 and above by 2014, with an interim milestone of 34 per cent by 2011
• Increase participation in Higher Education towards 50% of those aged 18 to 30

John Denham, the Secretary of State for the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills said “ DIUS exists to enable adults to develop their skills and knowledge to the full extent of their ability; to deliver world class research and scholarship; and to ensure we make the full use of that research in making Britain the best place in the world to build an innovative business. This settlement enables us to make real progress in each of these areas. In doing so we will build a strong economy and a cohesive society that can meet the global challenges of the 21st century."

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport saw an increase in its budget to £2.2billion over the next three years, which according to the Chancellor would guarantee “an inflation increase for the arts, free access to museums and galleries, extra for sport so that every child and young person can take part in five hours of sport a week.” It will also deliver the Cultural Olympiad in the run to the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympic Games.

The total settlements for the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are:

Scotland rising to £30 billion in 2010;
Wales rising to £16 billion; and
Northern Ireland rising to £10 billion.