Michael Gove (Shadow Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, Children, Schools and Families; Surrey Heath, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the cost to date has been of the diploma aggregation service; and how much is expected to be spent on the service in each of the next five years.

Vernon Coaker (Minister of State (Schools and Learners), Department for Children, Schools and Families; Gedling, Labour)

The Diploma Aggregation Service is designed and managed by the Qualifications and Curriculum Development Authority to enable the aggregation and awarding of diplomas. It became operational in September 2008. The total cost of the service during its initial development phase (April 2006 to 31 August 2008) was £18 million. Since then we have continued to invest in both enhancing and maintaining the service. In the subsequent period to the end of the current financial year (September 2008 to March 2010) the estimated additional cost of investment and maintenance is £6.4 million, with running costs in the following financial year estimated at £2.2 million. Later financial years will be considered as part of the next spending review process.