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
20 results
Clear
1 Conclusion Not Addressed
6th Report - Further Education and…
Skills England's current status and lack of statutory foundation compromises its independence.
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 … Read more
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
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17 Conclusion Not Addressed
6th Report - Further Education and…
Strengthen support and intervention measures for Baker Clause compliance.
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. … Read more
Government Response
No response provided.
Department for Education
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18 Recommendation Not Addressed
6th Report - Further Education and…
Publish annual report on Baker Clause compliance, assessing non-compliance and intervention actions.
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 … Read more
Government Response
No response provided.
Department for Education
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19 Conclusion Not Addressed
6th Report - Further Education and…
Post-16 pathway information fragmented and apprenticeship applications lack national framework.
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 … Read more
Government Response
There is no response to this conclusion.
Department for Education
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20 Recommendation Not Addressed
6th Report - Further Education and…
Expand UCAS remit to cover all post-16 pathways and align application timelines.
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 … Read more
Government Response
No response provided.
Department for Education
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27 Recommendation Not Addressed
6th Report - Further Education and…
Improve communication and transparency with FE sector on qualification reforms and evaluate impact.
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 … Read more
Government Response
There is no response to this recommendation.
Department for Education
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33 Conclusion Not Addressed
6th Report - Further Education and…
Foundation apprenticeships fail to target everyday sectors crucial for youth employment
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 … Read more
Government Response
There is no response to this conclusion.
Department for Education
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34 Recommendation Not Addressed
6th Report - Further Education and…
Expand foundation apprenticeships to include hospitality, retail, and care sectors by April 2026
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 … Read more
Government Response
There is no response to this recommendation.
Department for Education
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35 Conclusion Not Addressed
6th Report - Further Education and…
Adult apprenticeship maths and English changes risk widening attainment gaps and age-based inequalities
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 … Read more
Government Response
There is no response to this conclusion.
Department for Education
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36 Recommendation Not Addressed
6th Report - Further Education and…
Introduce three-route model for apprentices not achieving GCSE grade 4 maths and English
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, … Read more
Government Response
There is no response to this recommendation.
Department for Education
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37 Conclusion Not Addressed
6th Report - Further Education and…
Defunding level 7 apprenticeships for over 22s widely opposed and will worsen skills shortages
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 … Read more
Government Response
There is no response to this conclusion.
Department for Education
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38 Recommendation Not Addressed
6th Report - Further Education and…
Re-introduce levy funding for level 7 apprenticeships for all ages in growth sectors and regulated professions
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
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39 Recommendation Not Addressed
6th Report - Further Education and…
Monitor impact of defunding other level 7 apprenticeships for over 22s; reintroduce funding when needed
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 for SMEs and younger apprentices.
Department for Education
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41 Recommendation Not Addressed
6th Report - Further Education and…
Accelerate Mental Health Support Team rollout for 100% post-16 coverage by 2029-30, publishing impact data.
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 … 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, but does not address accelerating MHST rollout or monitoring its impact.
Department for Education
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42 Recommendation Not Addressed
6th Report - Further Education and…
Improve access to CAMHS and adult mental health services for young people with severe conditions.
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 … Read more
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 services or reducing wait times for severe mental health conditions.
Department for Education
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46 Conclusion Not Addressed
6th Report - Further Education and…
Ministerial responsibility split leads to neglect and fragmentation of FE SEND policy.
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 … Read more
Government Response
No response provided.
Department for Education
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47 Recommendation Not Addressed
6th Report - Further Education and…
Consolidate Further Education SEND policy under the Minister for Skills' portfolio.
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
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48 Conclusion Not Addressed
6th Report - Further Education and…
Inconsistent free transport for post-16 SEND students due to lack of legal requirement.
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 … Read more
Government Response
No response provided.
Department for Education
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49 Recommendation Not Addressed
6th Report - Further Education and…
Extend statutory duty for local authorities to provide home-to-college transport for post-16 SEND.
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
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53 Conclusion Not Addressed
6th Report - Further Education and…
Record detailed post-16 pathway and long-term outcome data for care-experienced individuals.
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 … Read more
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 experience.
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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