To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the number of individuals aged 24 years and over who will be obliged to take out loans to pay for a level three qualification from 2013-14 as a result of the implementation of his Department's proposals.

'Investing in Skills for Sustainable Growth' (16 November 2010) sets out the funding strategy for post-19 further education (FE) and skills. The introduction of new FE loans from the 2013/14 academic year provides the capacity for learner investment. We recognise that this is a significant reform and that is why we are phasing in the changes over the spending review period to provide the sector with sufficient time to plan effectively.

As set out in 'Investing in Skills for Sustainable Growth', over the next few months we will engage with colleges, training organisations and others on the details of how fee loans will be implemented to ensure the approach to fee loans recognises the characteristics of different types of learners and identifies the particular delivery arrangements appropriate for the FE and skills sector.

It is therefore not possible to estimate the number of learners who will be eligible for fee loans in the 2013/14 academic year.