http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/21/section/4B/2010-01-12Learning and Skills Act 2000An Act to establish the Learning and Skills Council for England and the National Council for Education and Training for Wales, to make other provision about education and training, and for connected purposes.texttext/xmlenStatute Law Database2026-05-07Expert Participation2010-01-12 Learning and Skills Act 2000s. 99(2A)Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009Sch. 6 para. 45(3) Sch. 16 Pt. 2s. 269(4)art. 3Sch. 2Learning and Skills Act 2000s. 3A-3DApprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009Sch. 16 Pt. 2s. 269(4)art. 3Sch. 2art. 1314Learning and Skills Act 2000s. 18(9)The Local Education Authorities and Children’s Services Authorities (Integration of Functions) Order 2010The Local Education Authorities and Children's Services Authorities (Integration of Functions) Order 2010Sch. 4 para. 4(b)art. 1Learning and Skills Act 2000s. 18C(9)The Local Education Authorities and Children’s Services Authorities (Integration of Functions) Order 2010The Local Education Authorities and Children's Services Authorities (Integration of Functions) Order 2010Sch. 4 para. 4(b)art. 1Learning and Skills Act 2000s. 3A-3DEducation and Inspections Act 2006s. 75(1)s. 188(3)Learning and Skills Act 2000s. 3D(6)Further Education and Training Act 2007Sch. 1 para. 14s. 32(5)art. 2(h)Learning and Skills Act 2000s. 99(2A)Education and Skills Act 2008s. 160(2)s. 173(3)(4) Part I4B1The Council must exercise its functions under this Part so as to secure that a course of study for a qualification to which paragraph 1 of Schedule 1A applies is free to a person falling within subsection (2) if it is provided for the person by virtue of facilities whose provision is secured under section 4A.2A person falls within this subsection if, at the time of starting the course in question, the person—ahas attained the age of 19,bdoes not have the qualification in question or one (including one awarded by a person outside England) which appears to the Council to be at a comparable or higher level, andcsatisfies such conditions as may be specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State.3The Council must exercise its functions under this Part so as to secure that a course of study for a qualification to which paragraph 2 of Schedule 1A applies is free to a person falling within subsection (4) if it is provided for the person by virtue of facilities whose provision is secured under section 3.4A person falls within this subsection if, at the time of starting the course in question, the person—ahas attained the age of 19 but not the age of 25,bdoes not have the qualification in question or one (including one awarded by a person outside England) which appears to the Council to be at a comparable or higher level, andcsatisfies such conditions as may be specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State.5In performing a duty imposed on it by this section, the Council must have regard to any guidance given from time to time by the Secretary of State.6The Secretary of State may by order—aamend subsection (2)(a) by substituting a different age for the age for the time being referred to;bamend subsection (4)(a) by substituting a different age for either of the ages for the time being referred to.7For the purposes of this section, a course is free to a person if no tuition fees in respect of the provision of the course for the person are payable by a person other than—athe Council, orba body specified by order by the Secretary of State for the purposes of this section.8In subsection (7), “tuition fees”, in relation to a course, means—athe fees charged in respect of the course by the person providing it, andbsuch fees in respect of other matters relating to the course (such as undergoing a preliminary assessment or sitting an examination) as may be specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State.Ss. 4A-4C inserted (19.6.2009 for specified purposes, 1.8.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Education and Skills Act 2008 (c. 25), ss. 86(3), 173(4); S.I. 2009/1513, art. 2(1); S.I. 2009/1606, art. 2