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The Committee notes the Government’s report, received in October 2003, containing useful information in reply to its previous observation.

1. Young workers. The Committee notes the information related to the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). Established by the Government in April 2001, it is responsible for planning and funding post-16 learning (up to and including higher education in England). It notes that, for the financial year ending 31 March 2003, the LSC was responsible for an education and training budget of £7.6 million (£3.946 million for young people and £2.638 million for adults). According to the report, this represented a real term increase of 5.9 per cent on the previous year and was used to finance some 6 million learners. Please continue to provide information on how the granting of paid educational leave contributes to the promotion of appropriate continuing education and training (Articles 2 and 3 of the Convention).

2. Leave for purposes of trade union education. In relation to its previous request, asking the Government to indicate the manner in which it is ensured that the granting of leave for purposes of trade union education is not reserved solely for trade union representatives, the Committee notes that, as from 27 April 2003, in virtue of section 43 of the Employment Act 2002, union learning representatives (ULRs) and members of an independent trade union recognized by the employer have the right to be granted leave for purposes of trade union education. The report also indicates that in some cases companies may formulate a learning agreement with the union for workplace learning. Please provide information on the effect given in practice to section 43, in relation to workers who are not trade union representatives (Article 2(c) of the Convention).

3. Learndirect. In relation to the Committee’s question on the effective application of programmes giving effect to the principles of lifelong learning, including the establishment of a learning network distributed through new information technologies (Learndirect), it takes note of a research report sent by the Government, published in June 2003 by the Institute for Employment Studies, entitled "New learners, new learning: A strategic evaluation of UfI" (University for Industry) which thoroughly assesses the practice and perspectives of these learning techniques. Some of the conclusions of the report are that Learndirect has so far had more of an impact on individuals than on organizations; it contributes to lifelong learning by engaging new learners; it leads to further learning progression; it helps some learners to enhance their employability and finally Learndirect is contributing to the expansion and diversification of the learning market.

4. Finally, the Committee takes note of other useful information sent by the Government related to, inter alia, employer training pilots (ETPs), which were launched in September 2002 in six local learning and skills council areas to test the effect of offering financial incentives to improve access to training and enable employees to attain basic and level-2 skills. All the pilots were due to finish in August 2004. Please provide information on the results of these measures and continue providing information on the practical application of the Convention.