Edexcel welcomes the clarification in a letter published in the Guardian from minister, Jim Knight MP, where he clearly sets out the government's intent to retain the best of available qualifications and to champion choice.

Successful BTEC qualifications will be able to be funded as part of, and alongside, the Diploma.  Schools and colleges, training providers and international organisations can continue to invest in BTEC qualifications with confidence in their future.

We must all put the needs of learners first and ensure that qualifications have a high reputation and value.  A levels and BTECs have well-understood and valuable brands and the Diploma will join them during the coming years.

Jim Knight's letter reads:

"Sir

"In your article on our qualifications strategy for 14-19 year-olds (Hundreds of qualifications for teenagers likely to go in vocational diploma reforms, March 31), you refer to 'the axing of hundreds of popular BTECs and City and Guilds' awards.

"We are clear in the strategy document - which was developed from recommendations of an expert advisory group - that there is much of real value in many existing vocational qualifications.

"That is why, rather than scrapping these qualifications, we want to bring the best of them into our national qualification routes in the future, especially the new Diplomas.

"We are also clear that we will continue to fund additional stand-alone qualifications outside our national routes, for as long as they uniquely meet a need among learners, employers or universities."

Jim Knight MP