(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations define “qualifying arrangements”, referred to in section 105 of the Learning and Skills Act 2000 and provide for payment of grants to persons who are parties to qualifying arrangements (such persons being defined in the Regulations as “individual learning account holders”).

Regulations 2 to 4 deal with qualifying arrangements. They must take the form of registration by an eligible person with a body approved by the National Assembly for Wales and Regulation 3 sets out conditions of eligibility which include residence in Wales (or tempory residence outside Wales at the time of registration but ordinary residence in Wales). However in certain circumstances qualifying arrangements under corresponding provisions applying in England, Scotland or Northern Ireland will be qualifying arrangements under these Regulations.

Regulations 5 to 8 provide for the payment of grants in respect of individual learning account holders. Regulation 5 provides for the power to pay grants. Regulation 6 provides that grants may be paid in respect of any education or training specified by the National Assembly for Wales other than secondary or full-time higher education. Regulation 7 provides for the amount of grant to be decided by the National Assembly for Wales and Regulation 8 contains various supplementary provisions including provision for the payment of grant to the person providing the education or training.

Regulations 9 and 10 contain respectively provisions for determining the residence of members of the armed forces and transitional provisions.