Recommendations & Conclusions
21 items
2
Conclusion
6th Report - Further Education and Skil…
Accepted
As an Executive Agency, Skills England is accountable to the Department for Education and therefore answerable to Parliament through this Committee. We will hold Skills England to account through annual accountability sessions and urge subsequent Education Committees to continue this practice. (Recommendation, Paragraph 18)
Government response. The government welcomes the committee's interest and details the existing accountability mechanisms for Executive Agencies, including ministerial and accounting officer accountability, and confirms continued support for the Chair and Vice Chair meeting with the Education Committee.
Department for Education
3
Recommendation
6th Report - Further Education and Skil…
Accepted
We recommend that the Department for Education commits to an independent review of Skills England within two years of it becoming fully operational—by June 2027—with a commitment to legislate further to ensure full independence if necessary. (Recommendation, Paragraph 19)
Government response. The government states that plans are already in place for a review of Skills England within 18-24 months of its establishment as an Executive Agency, which will consider its delivery mode and effectiveness, aligning with good practice for new arm's …
Department for Education
11
Recommendation
6th Report - Further Education and Skil…
Accepted
Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) have been effective in aligning employer needs with education and training provision, and in utilising and developing local partnerships. LSIPs are a relatively new initiative and will need time to become fully established. However, those most closely involved in their production and facilitation have already …
Government response. The government states that plans are already in place, explaining how LSIPs, overseen by Skills England, aim to reduce duplication and ensure coherent decision-making. It highlights that statutory guidance mandates key stakeholder involvement in LSIP governance and that FE providers' …
Department for Education
12
Recommendation
6th Report - Further Education and Skil…
Accepted
We recommend that the Department for Education conducts a policy audit to identify overlaps between LSIPs and other skills initiatives in order to streamline LSIPs and make them more coherent and easier to navigate. We also recommend that the Department for Education considers how local partnerships between Employer Representative Bodies, …
Government response. The government states that LSIPs have a distinct statutory purpose and that Skills England ensures local intelligence informs strategies to reduce duplication. It also highlights existing statutory guidance for stakeholder involvement and the role of accountability statements in fostering coherence, …
Department for Education
13
Conclusion
6th Report - Further Education and Skil…
Accepted
The number of young people currently not in education, employment or training (NEET) in England is unacceptable both for the life chances of young people and for economic growth. The Government’s Youth Guarantee goes some way to support 18–21-year-olds to access education, training and employment opportunities. However, it will only …
Government response. The government outlines the existing Youth Guarantee for 18-21 year olds and describes how Mayoral Strategic Authorities are delivering trailblazers. It also lists current mechanisms like the September Guarantee, Raising the Participation Age, and Risk of NEET Indicator that already …
Department for Education
16
Recommendation
6th Report - Further Education and Skil…
Accepted
We recommend that the Department for Education and Skills England create a Skills Co-ordination Board by April 2026. Local areas must be given the flexibility to develop and implement their own tailor-made strategies on adult education and training; the purpose of the Skills Co- ordination Board therefore would be to …
Government response. The government highlights Skills England's existing role as a key driver for a high-functioning skills system, supporting integration and informing skills needs, and states that devolution and Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) are the mechanisms for coordinating regional strategies with …
Department for Education
30
Recommendation
6th Report - Further Education and Skil…
Accepted
The Department for Education must take action to address the resit problem at source by ensuring that more children leave school with sufficient levels of numeracy and literacy. As part of its response to the Curriculum and Assessment Review, the Department must examine the reasons for the low pass rates …
Government response. The government commits to improving English and maths achievement at Level 2 through reforms including a new Level 1 stepping stone qualification, accountability changes, and additional support for FE providers.
Department for Education
31
Conclusion
6th Report - Further Education and Skil…
Accepted
We welcome the Government’s reforms of the apprenticeship system and the introduction of the Growth and Skills Levy. The former apprenticeship levy was seen by some organisations—particularly small and medium- sized businesses—as being part of an overly complex and inflexible apprenticeship system. However, for many prospective apprentices and employers, the …
Government response. The government acknowledges the need for better skills data and states it is already transforming the apprenticeships offer into a new growth and skills offer to provide greater flexibility. It does not detail specific new actions to simplify the application …
Department for Education
32
Recommendation
6th Report - Further Education and Skil…
Accepted
We recommend that the Department for Education simplifies the apprenticeship system for employers and prospective apprentices in order to increase participation. By April 2026, it must create a streamlined application and reporting process tailored for businesses, and provide dedicated support and guidance to help Small and Medium-sized 96 Enterprises (SMEs) …
Government response. The government acknowledges the need for better skills data and states it is already transforming the apprenticeships offer into a new growth and skills offer to provide greater flexibility. It does not detail specific new actions to simplify the application …
Department for Education
43
Conclusion
6th Report - Further Education and Skil…
Accepted
On average, economically disadvantaged students aged 16–19 do not perform as well as their peers or achieve the same educational outcomes. Per-pupil funding drops sharply after the age of 16, creating a cliff edge that limits support for disadvantaged students. Existing bursaries for disadvantaged students aged 16–19 are insufficient and …
Government response. The government states it already funds financial support programmes for 16-19 year olds, including the Bursary Fund, and provides participation funding for learners with EHC plans and other adult support.
Department for Education
45
Conclusion
6th Report - Further Education and Skil…
Accepted
We also recommend that the Department utilises local authority-level data to identify and address the unique barriers in areas in which attainment across qualification pathways (including A Levels, T Levels, AGQs) is below the national average. (Recommendation, Paragraph 171)
Government response. The government accepts the recommendation, stating Skills England is already strengthening jobs and skills data by mapping pathways and developing a new skills taxonomy. It will also develop a Local Skills Dashboard for effective data release and publish research interests …
Department for Education
50
Recommendation
6th Report - Further Education and Skil…
Accepted
The Department must mandate that all local authorities provide travel training programmes for young people in this age group, for whom such training is appropriate, to promote independence and safe travel. The Department for Education must work with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Department for …
Government response. The Department states they already fund travel assistance to eligible students and provide guidance to local authorities. They are working with other departments on a bespoke formula to recognise home to school transport costs, with a consultation expected in 2026.
Department for Education
51
Conclusion
6th Report - Further Education and Skil…
Accepted
Care leavers face significant challenges transitioning into further education, employment or training. Care leavers aged 19–21 are three times more likely not to be in education, employment or training than their peers. There is insufficient support for those transitioning into further education or training. There is also a lack of …
Government response. The government states "PLANS ALREADY IN PLACE", detailing the Youth Guarantee for 18-21 year olds and Skills White Paper commitments to strengthen identification and support for NEET young people, including care leavers, through improved data sharing, revised guidance, auto-enrolment pilots, …
Department for Education
52
Conclusion
6th Report - Further Education and Skil…
Accepted
As set out in our Children’s Social Care report, the Department for Education must develop a National Care Offer to harmonise the postcode lottery in entitlements and ensure that care leavers receive a minimum level of support, wherever they live. The Department for Education must also develop a strategy to …
Government response. The government states it has existing plans in place, such as the Youth Guarantee for 18-21 year olds and other support mechanisms like the September Guarantee, Raising the Participation Age, and the Risk of NEET Indicator, to support young people. …
Department for Education
54
Conclusion
6th Report - Further Education and Skil…
Accepted
The further education sector faces significant funding challenges due to prolonged real-terms cuts since 2010, with per-student funding still below 2009–10 levels. A rise in the number of 16–18-year-olds over the coming years will continue to increase pressure on colleges and other providers, yet per-student funding has not kept pace …
Government response. The government states £8.5 billion has been allocated for 16-19 programme funding in 2025/26, with an additional £400 million investment this year and nearly £800 million extra planned for 2026/27.
Department for Education
56
Conclusion
6th Report - Further Education and Skil…
Accepted
Colleges face significant challenges due to limited and short-term capital funding. Whilst recent allocations have addressed urgent maintenance needs, the lack of sustained capital investment prevents long-term improvements. The £300 million allocated for 2025–26 is insufficient given the scale of need across thousands of college buildings. Furthermore, access to capital …
Government response. The government details "PLANS ALREADY IN PLACE", including £6.7 billion in capital funding for education in 2025-26 with annual allocations to provide greater certainty for FE colleges. It also outlines existing alternative capital funding routes available to sixth form and …
Department for Education
57
Recommendation
6th Report - Further Education and Skil…
Accepted
We recommend that the Department for Education increases capital funding significantly to support further education providers with modernisation and expansion. The increase in post-16 student numbers will be temporary, however, and therefore in some cases funding should be allocated to allow for a temporary expansion to the college estate to …
Government response. The government has committed £6.7 billion in capital funding for education, including specific allocations for FE colleges and an additional £375 million for capacity expansion, with consideration for temporary needs in line with the recommendation.
Department for Education
63
Conclusion
6th Report - Further Education and Skil…
Accepted
College teacher retention rates are significantly lower than in schools, with less than a quarter of college teachers remaining in the profession after ten years. Pay disparities, excessive workloads, limited professional development and job insecurity are causing burnout and undermining teachers’ confidence and contentment in their jobs. Whilst the Government …
Government response. The government highlights various existing plans and investments, including £800 million in 16-19 education, targeted financial incentives for early career teachers in priority subjects, and schemes to improve mentoring and professional development. It describes ongoing efforts to support recruitment and …
Department for Education
64
Conclusion
6th Report - Further Education and Skil…
Accepted
The Department for Education must address the underlying and unresolved reasons for the recruitment and retention crisis amongst school and college teachers, which include pay disparities, excessive workloads, limited professional development and job insecurity. In so doing, it must develop incentives for all post-16 teaching staff to remain in the …
Government response. The government details existing actions, including £800 million in additional funding for 16-19 education, targeted financial incentives for early career STEM teachers in FE, and initiatives to improve job security, workload, and wellbeing in partnership with unions.
Department for Education
65
Recommendation
6th Report - Further Education and Skil…
Accepted
We recommend that the Department for Education develops and publishes a strategy for working with employers to secure a pipeline from skilled trades into vocational teaching, including staff who are retiring and secondments from larger organisations. (Recommendation, Paragraph 237)
Government response. The government states it has 'PLANS ALREADY IN PLACE' through the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper, which includes a commitment to strengthen the pipeline from skilled trades into vocational teaching, and specific initiatives like a £20 million FE Teacher …
Department for Education
68
Recommendation
6th Report - Further Education and Skil…
Accepted
As adult education policy and funding transitions to the Department for Work and Pensions, the Government must ensure that learning and training opportunities remain accessible to anyone seeking to enhance their skills, broaden their knowledge, or take incremental steps toward personal development. Adult learning must not be narrowly framed as …
Government response. The government states 'PLANS ALREADY IN PLACE' through the Adult Skills Fund, which includes £1.4 billion annual spending, covers 'wider outcomes of learning' beyond employment, and provides fully funded entitlements for essential skills and first Level 2 or 3 qualifications.
Department for Education