This is the second in our monthly series briefing you with the lastest news and reports from the UK government as they affect the training and development world.

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23 November:Malcolm Wicks has announced that 430,000 Individual Learning Accounts (ILAs) have been opened to date, but that information on employer contributions to the scheme was not being collected on a routine basis. In a written response to parliament, he also stated that a survey of ILA holders would be carried out and made available in the spring.

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21 November: Lifelong Learning Minister Malcolm Wicks says that training for people working in the rail industry urgently needs to be improved. In a letter to Sir Alastair Morton, Chairman of the shadow Strategic Rail Authority, Wicks expresses his concern that very few rail employees currently gain nationally recognized qualifications - only 24 NVQs were awarded to train drivers (a workforce of over 15,000) in the four years to 30 June 2000 - and wants to see clear training and skills targets built into the franchises of the train operating companies, as well as into the plans of Railtrack. He envisages a partnership between the rail authority and the new Learning and Skills Council to oversee the targets.

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16 November: Lifelong Learning Minister Malcolm Wicks announces an increase in the number of Modern Apprenticeships to 215,000, which the government says is the highest number on the scheme since 1993.

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9 November: The Chancellor of the Exchequer announces in his pre-budget report that the New Deal scheme is to be expanded to cover more lone parents and an enhanced service to the long-term unemployed.

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9 November: There will be a review of training across the haulage industry as part of a package of measures announced in the pre-budget report.

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7 November: At a CBI conference, Gordon Brown urges businesses to forge greater links with schools in order to develop awareness of business among young people.

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6 November: Scottish First Minister Henry McLeish announces the appointment of new ministers for education and lifelong learning as part of his first Cabinet.

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3 November: The Department for Education and Employment announces details of a new qualification framework for the Further Education sector.

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2 November: A cap has been imposed on the amount of discount Individual Learning Account holders can claim for IT and maths courses.

Click here for October's Government Watch.