This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Closure of ILAs in Scotland
20/12/2001
Closure of the Individual Learning Account scheme in Scotland was announced today.
Following the decision by the Department for Employment and Skills (DfES) on 23 November to close the Individual Learning Account (ILA) scheme in England, the Executive, in conjunction with Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, undertook a further immediate review of the scheme in Scotland. Since then, extra validation checks have been implemented for all current claims, as a precautionary measure to protect public funds.
Both the review and the validation exercise have shown that the scheme here has experienced some similar problems to those encountered in England and Northern Ireland. It has also highlighted a number of actions which need to be taken urgently to address some shortcomings in the current operation of the ILA scheme. The Executive has therefore decided to close the scheme in Scotland with immediate effect.
Minister for Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning, Wendy Alexander, said:
"Individual Learning Accounts have attracted over 110,000 learners here, and have been a great success in bringing down the financial barriers to learning.
"We are well aware of the problems which have beset the scheme elsewhere and instituted an immediate review of the scheme in Scotland and thorough validation checks on current payments.
"We had hoped that the introduction of extra checks and other security measures would allow us to be able to continue the scheme. However, in light of the review we have today reached the conclusion that at present the risks of continuation are too great. We are acting to protect the interests of individual learners and the public purse.
"We remain committed to encouraging the widest possible participation in lifelong learning. Closing the scheme today will give us time to consider the best way to move ahead. Consideration is being given to what future arrangements might be put in place to support individual learning. Any new scheme will take the best from the first ILA programme and remedy its shortcomings. I expect to be in a position to say more about these plans in the spring".
Information for ILA holders and learning providers can be found at www.my-ila.com and www.learndirectscotland.com
A freephone helpline is also available - 0808 100 1090.