Government to retain key Becta services

Becta said that during the first quarter of 2011 its policy and procurement work will be transferred to other parts of government. The Department for Education and the Department for Business Innovation and Skills are expected to finalise details of the transfers in the next few weeks. In addition to Becta's ICT services frameworks, its ICT Mark, which provides schools in England with an accreditation for reaching a national ICT standard, will continue. "Discussions are ongoing to finalise the details for one or two other areas we hope to transfer," said a Becta spokesperson. "Conversations are now taking place with some Becta staff, who it is hoped will also transfer with these work areas."