Recommendations & Conclusions
20 items
1
Conclusion
6th Report - Further Education and Skil…
Not Addressed
Given the primacy of the Government’s economic growth mission, and the emphasis the Government has placed on a high-functioning and forward- looking skills system to deliver that mission, the comparison between the status of Skills England on the one hand and organisations such as the Met Office and the DVLA …
Government response. The government welcomes the committee's recognition and reiterates Skills England's established role as an executive agency supporting economic growth and the industrial strategy, without addressing the committee's concerns about impartiality or statutory foundation.
Department for Education
17
Conclusion
6th Report - Further Education and Skil…
Not Addressed
There is a stark disparity between how post-16 technical and vocational education and training pathways are presented to pupils and how academic pathways are presented, and fundamental differences in the levels of support and guidance that students receive about each. The Baker Clause and the provider access legislation are meant …
Government response. No response provided.
Department for Education
18
Recommendation
6th Report - Further Education and Skil…
Not Addressed
We recommend that Department for Education publishes an annual report on the number and proportion of schools that are complying with the Baker Clause and provider access legislation, and assesses the reasons for non-compliance. The proposed work to be carried out by the Careers and Enterprise Company to map compliance …
Government response. No response provided.
Department for Education
19
Conclusion
6th Report - Further Education and Skil…
Not Addressed
Information about post-16 pathways can be fragmented, with no single platform covering both academic and vocational options. Apprenticeship applications are particularly complex due to the absence of a national framework and regional inconsistencies. Additionally, vocational application timelines are misaligned with university admissions, making it difficult for 93 young people to …
Government response. There is no response to this conclusion.
Department for Education
20
Recommendation
6th Report - Further Education and Skil…
Not Addressed
We recommend that the remit of UCAS be expanded to offer a single source of information for all routes, including academic and vocational pathways. Application timelines for vocational courses, including apprenticeships, should better align with those for university admissions. Apprenticeship applications can be complex, and the availability of vacancies is …
Government response. No response provided.
Department for Education
27
Recommendation
6th Report - Further Education and Skil…
Not Addressed
The Department for Education must improve the way in which it communicates with the FE sector about any future reform of qualifications, for example by ensuring that the terms of reference are published and that there is open and transparent engagement. Timescales for any future reforms should be set specifically …
Government response. There is no response to this recommendation.
Department for Education
33
Conclusion
6th Report - Further Education and Skil…
Not Addressed
Foundation apprenticeships have been welcomed by the sector. However, whilst these shorter apprenticeships rightly aim to help young people enter critical sectors, there are concerns about the Government’s decision not to target “everyday sectors”, such as the hospitality, retail and care sectors, when they were rolled out in August 2025; …
Government response. There is no response to this conclusion.
Department for Education
34
Recommendation
6th Report - Further Education and Skil…
Not Addressed
We recommend that the Department for Education expands the foundation apprenticeship scheme to include the hospitality, retail and care sectors— as well as other high-demand sectors for young people—by April 2026. The purpose of foundation and other shorter apprenticeships must be made clear to prospective apprentices and employers, including routes …
Government response. There is no response to this recommendation.
Department for Education
35
Conclusion
6th Report - Further Education and Skil…
Not Addressed
The current apprenticeship system faces inconsistencies as a result of recent changes to maths and English requirements for those aged 19 and over. Whilst removing the requirement for adult apprentices to attain grade 4 maths and English before completing their apprenticeships may increase participation, it also risks widening existing literacy …
Government response. There is no response to this conclusion.
Department for Education
36
Recommendation
6th Report - Further Education and Skil…
Not Addressed
We recommend the introduction of a three-route model for all apprentices who have not attained grade 4 GCSE in maths and/or English based on their level of attainment at age 16 and their chosen apprenticeship: • Route A: Apprentices who, based on their GCSE results at age 16 and prior …
Government response. There is no response to this recommendation.
Department for Education
37
Conclusion
6th Report - Further Education and Skil…
Not Addressed
The evidence received by the Committee is overwhelmingly opposed to the Government’s decision not to fund level 7 apprenticeships for those aged 22 and over through the Growth and Skills Levy. The defunding of these apprenticeships will reduce uptake—particularly in key sectors such as healthcare—widen existing skills shortages, and limit …
Government response. There is no response to this conclusion.
Department for Education
38
Recommendation
6th Report - Further Education and Skil…
Not Addressed
We recommend that the Department for Education re-introduces levy funding for level 7 apprenticeships for all ages within the eight growth- driving sectors and for regulated professions, such as healthcare. (Recommendation, Paragraph 149)
Government response. No response provided.
Department for Education
39
Recommendation
6th Report - Further Education and Skil…
Not Addressed
The Department must monitor the impact of defunding all other level 7 apprenticeships for those aged 22 and over and be willing to reintroduce levy funding where necessary. (Recommendation, Paragraph 150) Supporting further education students
Government response. Despite stating "ACCEPT", the government's response does not commit to monitoring the impact of defunding Level 7 apprenticeships for those aged 22 and over or to being willing to reintroduce levy funding. It instead discusses broader apprenticeship reforms and support …
Department for Education
41
Recommendation
6th Report - Further Education and Skil…
Not Addressed
The Government’s pledge of 100% MHST coverage by 2029–30 must be met and must include all post-16 students and trainees. We recommend that Government accelerates the rollout of Mental Health Support Teams with a particular focus on expanding coverage for post-16 settings, which has not kept pace with coverage for …
Government response. 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, but does not address accelerating MHST rollout or monitoring its impact.
Department for Education
42
Recommendation
6th Report - Further Education and Skil…
Not Addressed
The Government must improve access to Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and adult mental health services for those children and young people with more severe mental health conditions and whose education is often interrupted for months or years at a time by the long waits for services and …
Government response. The government outlines existing commitments to improve mental health support for FE students through a whole-college approach, guidance, and the appointment of an FE Student Support Champion. It does not specifically address improving access to CAMHS and adult mental health …
Department for Education
46
Conclusion
6th Report - Further Education and Skil…
Not Addressed
SEND policy is currently overseen by the Minister for School Standards whilst further education policy lies with the Minister for Skills. This split in ministerial responsibility has led to the neglect of FE SEND policy, as well as inefficiencies, limited accountability and policy fragmentation. Specialist further education should have its …
Government response. No response provided.
Department for Education
47
Recommendation
6th Report - Further Education and Skil…
Not Addressed
We recommend that the Department for Education consolidates FE SEND policy under the Minister for Skills’ portfolio. (Recommendation, Paragraph 176)
Government response. There is no response to this recommendation.
Department for Education
48
Conclusion
6th Report - Further Education and Skil…
Not Addressed
Local authorities in England are not legally required to provide free transport for the majority post-16 students with SEND, leading to inconsistent and often inadequate support. Financial pressures have 99 caused many councils to restrict eligibility and reduce services, making access to education more difficult for affected students. Families face …
Government response. No response provided.
Department for Education
49
Recommendation
6th Report - Further Education and Skil…
Not Addressed
We recommend that the Department for Education considers extending the statutory duty on local authorities to provide home-to-college transport for further education students with SEND from the age of 16 to
Government response. No response provided.
Department for Education
53
Conclusion
6th Report - Further Education and Skil…
Not Addressed
The Department must record data on post-16 pathways and attainment for those with care experience—including detailed data on qualifications, course types and completion rates. The Department should also monitor long-term outcomes—employment quality, income levels, and 100 higher education progression for those with care experience—and take steps to address existing disparities …
Government response. The government details existing initiatives like the Youth Guarantee and other support mechanisms for young people, but its response does not address the specific recommendation to record and monitor data on post-16 pathways and long-term outcomes for those with care …
Department for Education