On a visit to the FE college in Bristol where he
studied economics, maths and computer science,
Chancellor said:
Further education, like all our public services, is a
lifeline of opportunity for our young people.
We’ll make a strong statement in backing it at this
week’s Spending Round and I’ll continue to look at
what more we can do to help, just as my FE college
opened my horizons and set me on my way.
Education Secretary said:
As former FE students, the Chancellor and I both know
first-hand how important the further education sector
is so I’m really pleased that today that government
is giving our sixth forms and colleges a major
funding boost - the single biggest annual uplift
since 2010.
This investment will make sure we can continue to
develop world-class technical and vocational
education to rival countries on the continent so we
have a highly skilled and productive workforce for
the future.
This includes protecting and increasing the base rate
with funding worth £190 million to boost access to high
quality courses for more than a million 16-19 year
olds. Colleges and school sixth forms will also get
£120 million to help deliver expensive but crucial
subjects such as engineering which lead to higher wages
and, ultimately, a more productive economy.
There will be £35 million more for targeted
interventions to support students on level 3 courses (A
level equivalent) who failed GCSE Maths and English, so
they can re-sit their exams in these critical subjects.
Colleges and further education providers will receive
an extra £25 million to deliver T-levels. The new
qualifications start rolling out in September 2020 and
will transform vocational education with two-year
courses in subjects as varied as accounting, digital
production and onsite construction.
The advanced maths premium, which adds £600 to college
budgets for every additional student who takes on A-
and AS- level maths, is also funded with £10 million
additional funding.
A new £20 million investment will also help the sector
to continue to recruit and retain brilliant teachers
and leaders, and provide more support to ensure
high-quality teaching of T Levels.
The announcement forms part of the Spending Round so
covers the financial year 2020-21. The money announced
today will be allocated across the 257 colleges in
England, as well as other FE providers, including
school sixth forms.
The Barnett formula for Scotland, Wales and Northern
Ireland will be applied in the usual way with block
grant amounts confirmed at the Spending Round.
