News

NHS takes action against Learndirect Apprenticeships

Learndirect Apprenticeships Ltd has been removed from part of the purchasing system used by London hospitals, following a joint…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Milton wants flexibility, not ‘the dead hand of the state’

The skills minister has admitted she’s heard serious concerns about the government’s apprenticeship reforms, but claims there is “just…

Freddie Whittaker
Freddie Whittaker
News

National Audit Office to investigate Learndirect and the DfE

The National Audit Office has officially launched an investigation into Learndirect and the Department for Education following outcry from…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

AEB contracts boost will be paid from unspent £200m

Funding increases in adult education budget contracts for private providers will be paid from the massive underspend on adult…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Somerset provider reopens courses after major AEB increase – but it’s still £1m short

A large community learning provider in Somerset has reopened courses today after the government granted it substantial extra emergency…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Greening announces 27 new degree apprenticeship projects, but no new money

UPDATE: HEFCE has now announced details of the 27 projects on its website.  We’ve alerted the DfE ———————————————————————————————————— Justine Greening…

Freddie Whittaker
Freddie Whittaker


News

DfE confirms HE fee policy change WILL apply to FE loans

The government’s proposed rise in the repayment threshold for student loans will apply to FE loans, it has been…

Freddie Whittaker
Freddie Whittaker
News

ESFA finds additional AEB funding in effort to solve tender chaos

The ESFA has confirmed it has found additional adult education budget funding and sent out letters to relevant independent…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

DfE to announce solution to AEB tender chaos later today

UPDATE: An hour after publishing this article the ESFA sent out electronic letters confirming the additional AEB funding (click…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Review of apprentice provider list planned

The government is already planning to review its register of apprenticeship training providers, but not until the new window…

Pippa Allen-Kinross
Pippa Allen-Kinross
News

Editor asks: Can mega colleges ever be too big to fail?

With colleges across the country pressured into mega-mergers and the government dishing out special treatment to the ailing FE…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Details of new T-level tendering timeline revealed

The Department for Education is moving forward with a detailed new timetable for the implementation of T-levels, FE Week…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden

Must read

Long read, Prison education

The prison that’s offering hope for a new life upon release

‘We’re saving people’s lives as well as turning them around’

Jessica Hill
Jessica Hill
Apprenticeships, Politics

Phillipson to exempt young people from level 7 apprenticeships funding axe

Education secretary makes ‘important concession’ amid backlash from other government departments

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Colleges, FE Commissioner

Weston chair felt powerless over £2.5m payments to former principal

Ex-Weston college chair gives tell-all interview following FE Commissioner probe

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
Colleges

Weston College governance failure allowed ‘concealment’ of £2.5m payments to former principal

Paul Phillips was paid £1.8m in 2023, including a ‘significant’ six-figure retention payment which his COO son ‘resisted’ paying…

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
T Levels

NAO reveals enormity of T Level take-up failure

Forecasts missed by 75% and secret DfE estimates show staff and employer shortages could limit places to 48,000 students

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
Adult education, ITPs

Mayors dump adult education cuts on independent training providers

Up to two-thirds axed from devolved procured budgets

Josh Mellor
Josh Mellor