To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support an increase in the budget allocated to further education colleges to help address the UK skills gap.
Answered on
8 July 2019
The department recognises the pressures that further education (FE) funding is under and acknowledges that funding has not kept up with costs. We are looking at this carefully ahead of the next Spending Review and are considering how effective our funding and regulatory structures are in supporting providers to deliver excellent provision for young people and adults. We have been working with the FE sector to make sure that the system can support sustainable, high quality education and effective recruitment and retention of teachers and leaders.
We welcome the publication of the Independent Panel Report: Post-18 Review of Education and Funding, attached, and will continue to work with stakeholders to deliver a post-18 system that is joined-up and supported by a funding system that works for students and taxpayers. The government will consider the panel’s recommendations carefully and will conclude the review at the Spending Review. The government has not yet taken decisions with regards to the recommendations put forward.