No surprises in Labour policies

Labour has reaffirmed its current further and higher education policies in its pre-manifesto document New Labour: New Life for Britain.

It calls for a graduate contribution scheme to fund an expanded system, and for training to be based on the existing structure of Training and Enterprise Councils, National Vocational Qualifications and Investors in People supplemented by the creation of a Learning Bank.

It repeats the promise of a University for Industry. The 16-hour rule will be relaxed.

* The Scottish Labour Party's manifesto pledges a new framework for Scottish further education to improve coordination between colleges.