| answer text |
<p>The Department for Business Innovation and Skills supports British Sign Language
(BSL), lip reading and managing hearing loss provision in England through the Adult
Education Budget. Providers receive funding for this provision as they do for all
other courses.</p><p><strong><em> </em></strong></p><p>In the academic year 2018/19,
subject to readiness conditions being met, we intend to devolve the Adult Education
Budget to certain Combined Authorities which have signed devolution deals[1]. In such
areas, subject to necessary Orders being passed by Parliament, functions relating
to the Adult Education Budget will transfer to the Combined Authority. The Combined
Authority will assume responsibility for commissioning adult education provision,
including in relation to BSL and sign language as it judges appropriate to meet local
needs. Some providers, including Specialist Designated Institutions, are currently
funded nationally. Their post-devolution funding arrangements will be confirmed in
the coming months.</p><p> </p><p>Skills provision in Scotland, Wales and Northern
Ireland is a devolved matter and the assessment and adequacy of BSL provision is the
responsibility of the devolved administrations.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p>[1]
To date, deals have been agreed with: Sheffield City Region; Liverpool City Region;
West Midlands; North East; Tees Valley; Greater Manchester; Greater Lincolnshire;
East Anglia; West of England</p>
|
|
