Press Release

7^th April 2000

McNeil Welcomes First Steps Towards Individual Learning Accounts

MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, has welcomed the launch of legislation in the Scottish Parliament which will create Individual Learning Accounts (ILAs).

ILAs will be offered through a card-based membership scheme. Once registered on the scheme, an individual will become entitled to incentives and discounts for learning and training.

Mr McNeil, who is a member of the Parliament’s Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee which will oversee the legislation’s path through Parliament, welcomed the move, saying:

"When we set out our legislative programme, we made a commitment to promote lifelong learning through the introduction of ILAs. We are also committed to the development of a UK-wide framework.

"The concept of ILAs was developed as a means of allowing people to take responsibility for and invest in their own lifelong learning and I am delighted that we will legislate this year to keep these promises."

A Learning Accounts (Scotland) Bill will be introduced shortly and the Executive aims to have the necessary legislation in place in order to allow for a UK framework to be fully operational by this autumn.

Mr McNeil continued:

"Lifelong learning has a key role to play in building a modern and innovative knowledge economy in Inverclyde, keeping us at the heart of our learning society.

"In our new economy, education does not end the last time you walk through the school gates.

"The ILA will be a ticket to new life chances. In a world where jobs are constantly changing no-one can afford to stand still and expect to use the same skills for a lifetime-career.

"ILAs are central to this vision and through them we aim to bring about a learning revolution in Scotland where everyone expects to continue learning and develop skills throughout their life-time. The Learning Accounts (Scotland) Bill is a crucial stage in allowing us to make these plans a reality."

ENDS

Notes:

Scottish ministers have agreed a package of public incentives for ILA holders. The incentive package includes a contribution of £150 for 100,000 starter accounts, provided the individual contributes an initial £25. The Chancellor announced tax breaks on employer contributions towards eligible learning on a UK-wide basis. He also announced discounts: 20% on eligible learning (with a maximum discount of £100 per year) and 80% on key courses such as basic computer literacy. Scottish Ministers are considering how best to apply this in Scotland. The Scottish target is to deliver 100,000 ILAs by 2002.

[ HOME ] [ News ] [ Articles ] [ Calendar ] [ Contacts ] [ Links ] [ E-Mail ]

[ Copyright ] [ Open Government ] [ Scottish Parliament ]

Previous Page