The problem with 'Train-to-Gain' is that it's very inflexible - it makes me laugh when it says 'employer led' - it's employer led if the employer says they want to do an NVQ and not if it's not! Many employers want their staff to do Diplomas for example, but Train-to-Gain won't fund this as it's not 'full-fat'.

There is supposed some flexibilty though - the LSC will consider 'sector compacts', things put together by the Sector Skills Council for the sector. Basically, Lifelong Learning UK (LLUK) should be putting a compact together with employers and presenting this to the LSC -whereby the LSC will fund courses like the ones you say have been cut. But it's a slow process.

The only other piece of good news is that the requirements put on the LSC by the DIUS (i.e that funded qualifications have to be so mnay guided learning hours) is going to change - maybe that's what you're referring to when you say 'frantically modifying the parameters'!