A new task force to review the creation of foundation degrees has been launched by education minister Alan Johnson.

The group, chaired by vice chancellor of Leeds Metropolitan university Leslie Wagner, will aim to publish a prospectus in autumn of this year.

Issues under consideration will be the quality of courses and moves to expand the number of places available.

The task force, launched on Friday, succeeds the Foundation Degree Group and will meet every four to six weeks.

"Most of the higher education expansion over the next few years will come through foundation degrees," said education minister Alan Johnson.

"Because they are work-based qualifications designed with employers, they will give graduates the direct skills needed in the workforce.

"Foundation degree success is completely dependent upon employer involvement and support which is why it is so important for the task force to include such big name employers as KLM and the Teacher Training Agency.

"I am sure the breadth and expertise of this new taskforce will help to boost the growth and prestige of foundation degrees over the next few years."