Further Education and Skills

Education Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 29 Jan 2025 Closed: 30 Jan 2026 Parliament page
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 … Read more
36 Recommendations
32 Conclusions
1 Report
4 Oral sessions
1 Letter
4 Events
Activity timeline 11 events
3 Feb
2026
Correspondence
9 Dec
2025
Report published
23 Sep
2025
Report published
24 Jun
2025
Oral evidence
24 Jun
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House
3 Jun
2025
Oral evidence
3 Jun
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
23 Apr
2025
Oral evidence
23 Apr
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
25 Mar
2025
Oral evidence
25 Mar
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House
Oral evidence sessions 4 sessions
24 Jun 2025
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Further Education and Skills
Julia Kinniburgh · Department for Education The Rt Hon. the Baroness Smith of Malvern · Department for Education
3 Jun 2025
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Further Education and Skills
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
23 Apr 2025
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Further Education and Skills
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
25 Mar 2025
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Further Education and Skills
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
Title HC No. Published Items Response
6th Report - Further Education and Skills HC 666 23 Sep 2025 68 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
6 results
Clear
15 Conclusion Acknowledged
6th Report - Further Education and…
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 … Read more
Government Response
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.
Department for Education
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24 Conclusion Acknowledged
6th Report - Further Education and…
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 … Read more
Government Response
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 the government's response expected later in 2026.
Department for Education
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28 Recommendation Acknowledged
6th Report - Further Education and…
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 … Read more
Government Response
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.
Department for Education
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29 Recommendation Acknowledged
6th Report - Further Education and…
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 • … Read more
Government Response
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.
Department for Education
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40 Conclusion Acknowledged
6th Report - Further Education and…
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 … Read more
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.
Department for Education
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66 Conclusion Acknowledged
6th Report - Further Education and…
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 … Read more
Government Response
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 Earnings Threshold.
Department for Education
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Government Response AI assessment · 68 of 36 classified
Accepted 21
Accepted in Part 5
Acknowledged 6
Deferred 4
Not Addressed 20
Rejected 12
Total 36 recs + 32 conclusions
Correspondence 1 letter
3 Feb 2026 To committee Letter from Minister for Skills on Further Education ITE Reform, dated 26.01.26
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