The latest in a monthly series of updates on learning-related government initiatives.

18 May: Sir Michael Bichard leaves the Department for Education and Employment to be replaced as Permanent Secretary by David Normington, former Director General of Schools at DfEE. Sir Michael will be taking up his new post as rector of the London Institute in September.

8 May: Another £19 million is being given by the government to support the development of the first university in Cornwall. The Combined Universities in Cornwall project will bring together existing FE colleges in the county and a new campus in Falmouth as the base for degree level study and research. The funding brings the total available for the project, including EU contributions, to £28.7 million. The new project plans to take its first students in autumn 2003.

8 May:Education and Employment Secretary David Blunkett has announced an additional £2m is to be allocated to the Rapid Response Fund for this year. The fund is used in England to support extra training for those affected by large-scale redundancies and is currently worth £5 million per year.

2 May: Lifelong Learning Minister Malcolm Wicks awards 30 Association of Colleges' Beacon Awards for 2000/01 and gives 'Beacon Status' to three more colleges, Shrewsbury Sixth Form College, Runshaw College, and Winstanley College. The Beacon Awards go to further education colleges that have demonstrated innovation, partnership and excellence. Beacon College status is given by the government to colleges which have demonstrated 'overall excellence' as confirmed by inspection findings and recommended by the Inspectorates.

Previous issues
Government Watch April
Government Watch March
Government Watch February
Government Watch January 2001
Government Watch December 1999
Government Watch November 1999
Government Watch October 1999