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Select Committee · Education Committee

Further Education and Skills

Status: Closed Opened: 29 Jan 2025 Closed: 30 Jan 2026 36 recommendations 32 conclusions 1 report

The further education sector is currently navigating a series of reforms and challenges. In this inquiry the Education Committee will explore these issues and other pressures currently facing the further education sector, including the pay gap between school and college teachers, maths and English GCSE resits, students’ mental health. Read the call for evidence

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
6th Report - Further Education and Skills HC 666 23 Sep 2025 68 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

6 items
15 Conclusion 6th Report - Further Education and Skil… Acknowledged

Devolved adult education funding creates a disparate and uncoordinated skills landscape.

Funding for adult education programmes has largely been devolved over the last decade which has provided local areas with more control, but it has also led to a disparate and uneven adult skills landscape. Some authorities have more powers than others, co-ordination between areas is not always smooth, and employers … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the committee's observations and highlights Skills England, Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs), and ongoing devolution efforts as key drivers in creating a coherent skills system, improving employer involvement, and addressing skills gaps to meet workforce needs.
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Department for Education
24 Conclusion 6th Report - Further Education and Skil… Acknowledged

Uncertainty persists for Level 3 qualifications amid opaque government review process and consultation.

There remains uncertainty for both students and colleges around the long- term availability of level 3 qualifications that had previously been earmarked for defunding. Despite a temporary extension of funding until 2027, the sector remains in limbo, without the clarity it needs to plan ahead. Level 3 qualifications which provide … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government outlines its Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper, which proposes new V Levels alongside A Levels and T Levels, and reforms for Level 2 and below qualifications. It also states that a consultation on post-16 Level 3 and below pathways is underway, with …
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Department for Education
28 Recommendation 6th Report - Further Education and Skil… Acknowledged

Current post-16 GCSE English and maths resit policy proves ineffective and burdensome.

The current requirement for all post-16 students who have not achieved a grade 4 or above in GCSE English and maths to continue to study those subjects alongside their other studies is not working for the majority of post- 16 students and the Government must change it. Despite a modest … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government aims to improve English and maths achievement at Level 2 through various reforms, including introducing a new Level 1 stepping stone qualification, implementing accountability changes, and providing additional support for FE providers.
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Department for Education
29 Recommendation 6th Report - Further Education and Skil… Acknowledged

Introduce a three-route model for post-16 students not achieving GCSE English and maths.

We recommend the introduction of a three-route model for those who have not attained grade 4 GCSE in maths and/or English based on their level of attainment at age 16 and their chosen post-16 qualification or employment pathway: 95 • Route A: Students who, based on their GCSE results at … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government aims to improve 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, but does not explicitly commit to the proposed three-route model.
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Department for Education
40 Conclusion 6th Report - Further Education and Skil… Acknowledged

Slow rollout of Mental Health Support Teams leaves most post-16 students unsupported

Poor mental health is a growing crisis for young people, with rising rates of anxiety, depression and eating disorders—particularly for those aged 17 to 19. The Government has pledged specialist mental health support in all schools and colleges, but the rollout of Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) has been slow—only … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government states its commitment to improving mental health support for FE students through guidance, a whole-college approach, and the appointment of an FE Student Support Champion.
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Department for Education
66 Conclusion 6th Report - Further Education and Skil… Acknowledged

Declining adult education funding threatens efforts to upskill workforce and achieve social goals

Funding for adult education and skills has declined sharply since the early 2000s, particularly in classroom-based learning. The Government’s reduction in adult education funding for 2025–26 will further undermine efforts to upskill the existing workforce and to support those who are out of work or struggling to progress. Reduced investment … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government states Skills England will inform funding decisions with data and analysis. It also outlines the existing Adult Skills Fund (ASF) which supports employment, social inclusion, and lifelong learning, confirming commitment to accessible education for those who need it most, and highlights the increased …
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Department for Education

Oral evidence sessions

4 sessions
Date Witnesses
24 Jun 2025 Julia Kinniburgh · Department for Education, The Rt Hon. the Baroness Smith of Malvern · Department for Education View ↗
3 Jun 2025 Clare Howard · Natspec, David Gaughan · West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), Denise Rawls · The National Network for the Education of Care Leavers (NNECL), Dr Emily Tanner · Nuffield Foundation, Dr Fiona Aldridge · The Skills Federation, Dr Susan Pember CBE · HOLEX, Jane Gratton · British Chambers of Commerce, Qasim Hussain · National Union of Students View ↗
23 Apr 2025 Ben Rowland · Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP), Dr Katerina Kolyva · Education and Training Foundation (ETF), Emily Rock · Association of Apprentices, Jane Hadfield · NHS England, Phil Smith CBE · Skills England, Sarah Maclean CBE · Skills England, Sir David Bell · Skills England, Tessa Griffiths CBE · Skills England View ↗
25 Mar 2025 Alice Gardner · Edge Foundation, Bill Watkin CBE · Sixth Form Colleges Association, Darren Hankey · Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), David Hughes CBE · Association of Colleges, David Robinson · Education Policy Institute, Jo Grady · University College Union (UCU), Mr Imran Tahir · Institute for Fiscal Studies, Robert Nitsch CBE · Federation of Awarding Bodies View ↗

Who gave evidence

26 witnesses
WitnessOrganisationSessions
Alice Gardner · Chief Executive Edge Foundation 1
Ben Rowland · Chief Executive Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) 1
Bill Watkin CBE · Chief Executive Sixth Form Colleges Association 1
Clare Howard · CEO Natspec 1
Darren Hankey · Principal and CEO of Hartlepool College of Furthe… Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) 1
David Gaughan · Head of Employer Services West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) 1
David Hughes CBE · Chief Executive Association of Colleges 1
David Robinson · Director of Post 16 and Skills Education Policy Institute 1
Denise Rawls · Executive Director The National Network for the Education of Care Leavers (NNECL) 1
Dr Emily Tanner · Programme Head for Post-14 Education and Skills Nuffield Foundation 1
Dr Fiona Aldridge · Chief Executive Officer The Skills Federation 1
Dr Katerina Kolyva · Chief Executive Education and Training Foundation (ETF) 1
Dr Susan Pember CBE · Policy Advisor HOLEX 1
Emily Rock · Chief Executive Association of Apprentices 1
Jane Gratton · Head of People Policy British Chambers of Commerce 1
Jane Hadfield · Co-Chair, The St Martin’s Group and National Lead… NHS England 1
Jo Grady · General Secretary University College Union (UCU) 1
Julia Kinniburgh · Director General for Skills Department for Education 1
Mr Imran Tahir · Research Economist Institute for Fiscal Studies 1
Phil Smith CBE · Chair Skills England 1
Qasim Hussain · Vice President (Further Education) National Union of Students 1
Robert Nitsch CBE · Chief Executive Federation of Awarding Bodies 1
Sarah Maclean CBE · Chief Executive Officer Skills England 1
Sir David Bell · Vice Chair Skills England 1
Tessa Griffiths CBE · Joint CEO Skills England 1
The Rt Hon. the Baroness Smith of Malvern · Minister for Skills Department for Education 1

Correspondence

1 letter
DateDirectionTitle
3 Feb 2026 To cttee Letter from Minister for Skills on Further Education ITE Reform, dated 26.01.26