Economic Stimulus Plan: Budget allocation to Education, Sport and Culture relating to Advance to Work scheme

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A decision made 14 June 2010 regarding: Economic Stimulus Plan: Budget allocation to Education, Sport and Culture relating to Advance to Work scheme.

Decision Reference: MD-TR-2010-0090
Decision Summary Title:	Fiscal Stimulus Budget Allocation – Department for Education, Sport and Culture		Date of Decision Summary:	9th June 2010
Decision Summary Author:	Interim Treasurer of the States		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title:	Fiscal stimulus funding for Advance to Work (16-19) and new skills initiative for the 20+		Date of Written Report:	9th June 2010
Written Report Author:	Acting Fiscal Stimulus Programme Manager		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Economic Stimulus Plan: budget allocation to the Department of Education, Sport and Culture to enable the continuation of the Advance to Work scheme for 16 to 19 year olds
Decision(s): The Minister approved the allocation of £966,613 to the Department for Education, Sport and Culture to enable the continuation of the Advance to Work scheme for 16 to 19 year olds from September 2010 to September 2011, and the establishment of a new scheme to help those aged 20+, and actively seeking work, gain skills to help them back into work. The Minister further instructed the Skills and Training project group to report on spend of all stimulus monies, and project progress/performance, on a monthly basis in accordance with guidelines set by the Treasury, and return any unspent monies on completion of the academic year.
Reason(s) for Decision: A discretionary fiscal stimulus allocation from the Stabilisation Fund of £44m has already been approved. The delivery of these skills initiatives meets the key criteria for fiscal stimulus being timely, targeted and temporary. These projects will benefit local individuals and help achieve the third and fourth objectives of the fiscal stimulus, being preparing the foundations for economic recovery through a more highly skilled workforce and achieving longer term economic benefits as well as the fiscal stimulus benefits in the short term. The £966,613 allocation to the projects will enable the department to assist a larger number of people, helping them improve their skills and gain qualifications during the recession when there are fewer employment opportunities available.
Resource Implications: No financial resource or manpower resource implications other than those explained above and in the accompanying report.
Action required: Treasury to be informed of decision to release necessary funds to the Department for Education, Sport and Culture’s budget.
Signature:		Position: Senator P F C Ozouf, Minister for Treasury and Resources
Date Signed:		Date of Decision: