They would also be intended to provide a bridge between universities and FE colleges, where the government expects most of the expansion in student places.

BBC: Plan to launch new degrees

Underperforming further education (FE) colleges in England are to face a tougher regime, as the government launches its skills strategy.

BBC: Bricklaying

Mervyn Storey of the DUP was concerned that further education (FE) colleges could suffer as a result of the announcement on higher education funding.

BBC: Northern Ireland Assembly

The FSM funding anomaly has also been taken up by the Association of Colleges (AOC), which is running a campaign to extend free lunches to students at FE and sixth-form colleges.

BBC: Canteen

Further education minister John Hayes pledged to "set FE free" by allowing colleges to move money between budgets, removing Ofsted inspections from colleges with outstanding performance ratings and boosting building projects.

BBC: Skilled economy debate

Proposing the motion, Richard Salter, from Somerset, said students at further education (FE) and sixth-form colleges were being discriminated against.

BBC: Canteen

Further Education Minister John Hayes told MPs plans to shake up further education (FE) and sixth-form colleges' regulation would give them more freedom.

BBC: Education Bill set to become law

It says that this is all part of a move from an old method of funding FE institutions to a more effective method, the changes have been planned since 2004 and colleges should be prepared for the new funding arrangements.

BBC: College fund fears spark protest