DfE raises stakes in fraudulent apprenticeship funding court fight Officials countersue ex-provider for £800k after alleged unlawful use of skills funding to pay apprentice wages
Revealed: First 93 apprenticeships chosen for assessment reform 40 construction standards also listed for revision but only once a new taskforce irons out specific industry concerns
Eton gets go-ahead to develop 2 of 3 elite sixth forms UTC among 28 of 44 free school proposals canned by DfE
Pearson drops out of EPA top 10 list Latest Ofqual apprenticeship assessment stats drop also reveals the first-time pass rate has returned to above 90%
DWP promises foundation apprenticeships in hospitality and retail Department also plans £140m pilot for mayors to connect young people with apprenticeship opportunities
Judge sets date for CoGrammar vs DfE bootcamps battle Provider accused of fraud is suing the department over millions in withheld payments
Top Ofsted grades soar in final year of overall effectiveness system Final stats show 88% of FE and skills providers hold either ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’
Reeves puts the ‘squeeze’ on big employers with budget levy tweaks Chancellor warned that trio of reforms ‘risks dampening appetite among levy-paying organisations already dealing with rising hiring, pension and tax costs’
‘We’re not diluting apprenticeships’: Skills England deputy hits back at assessment reform backlash ‘It’s not about reducing competency. It’s not about dumbing down – you have my word on that.’