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
4 results
Clear
4 Conclusion Deferred
6th Report - Further Education and…
Skills England Chief Executive Officer role is too junior, limiting influence across government.
We have heard serious concerns that the role of Chief Executive Officer at Skills England is too junior within the civil service hierarchy. The director- level status given to the holders of that position may limit their ability to influence … Read more
Government Response
The government states that the effectiveness of Skills England's leadership structure will be considered as part of a broader review of the agency, which was previously committed to within 18-24 months of its establishment.
Department for Education
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5 Recommendation Deferred
6th Report - Further Education and…
Review and regrade Skills England Chief Executive Officer status by June 2026 for greater seniority.
We recommend that the Department for Education reviews the status of Skills England’s Chief Executive Officers in June 2026—twelve months after Skills England became fully operational—to ensure they have been given the right level of seniority and that they have … Read more
Government Response
The government defers the specific review of CEO seniority, stating it will be considered as part of a broader, already planned review of Skills England within 18-24 months of its establishment.
Department for Education
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10 Recommendation Deferred
6th Report - Further Education and…
Utilise trailblazer model to pilot comprehensive skills devolution programme and report findings.
The Government should consider utilising the trailblazer model to pilot a more comprehensive skills devolution programme and report back to the Committee. (Recommendation, Paragraph 43)
Government Response
The government states the recommendation is under review and reiterates its ambition for devolved powers, noting its commitment to continue piloting arrangements with Established Mayoral Authorities to inform further devolution frameworks, citing the devolution of Construction Skills Package funding as an example.
Department for Education
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67 Recommendation Deferred
6th Report - Further Education and…
Increase adult education and skills funding to meet demand and align with national missions
Funding for adult education and skills must increase to meet demand and to ensure that those over the age of 19 are able to participate in, and benefit from, the Government’s national missions. The Government must assess demand for adult … Read more
Government Response
The government states the recommendation is 'UNDER REVIEW,' deferring to Skills England to provide data and analysis to inform future funding decisions, while clarifying that major funding decisions remain with government ministers.
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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