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13 May 2026

Author: FE Week Reporter

Finding the balance for working in partnership

Of the many challenges facing the FE Sector today, getting the right balance between working with private training providers and being self- sufficient is one that continues to challenge college principals and their senior leadership teams. We all know the history of poor franchising and sub contracts, and many of the horror stories that surround […]

Changing the funding formula for 16-19 learners

Following the closure of the 16-19 funding formula review consultation at the start of the month, FE Week asked Paul Warner, director of employment and skils at the AELP, and Lynne Sedgmore, executive director of the 157 Group, for their thoughts on simplification, funding rates and methodologies. Simplification is about much more than reducing paperwork. […]

Tom Wilson, director, Unionlearn

Raised in rural Shropshire, in a family that was “very middle of the road” politically, Tom Wilson was an unlikely teenage leftie. In fact, his parents – both teachers – regarded his political awakenings with some amusement, he says. Educated at Wellington Grammar School, which “had pretentions to being a posh school but was in […]

Changing the funding formula for 16-19 learners

Following the closure of the 16-19 funding formula review consultation at the start of the month, FE Week asked Paul Warner, director of employment and skils at the AELP, and Lynne Sedgmore, executive director of the 157 Group, for their thoughts on simplification, funding rates and methodologies. There is much to welcome in the proposals […]

Schools with sixth forms restricting college access

Schools with sixth forms are giving students biased advice and restricting the access of colleges and training providers, according to a report by the 157 Group. The policy paper, titled ‘Information is not enough: the case for professional careers guidance’, calls for more schools and colleges to offer impartial guidance, as well as face-to-face careers […]

£60m yacht? That could give 45,000 students EMA, says NUS

The National Union of Students (NUS) has suggested how the estimated £60 million needed to buy a new yacht for the Queen could be spent improving FE. Education secretary Michael Gove made the suggestion in a letter to Nick Clegg and Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt last week. David Cameron has since rejected the proposal, saying […]

UCU case against IfL has now been ‘discontinued’

Legal proceedings between the University and College Union (UCU) and the Institute for Learning (IfL) have been discontinued. The move comes after the individual claimant in the case, who is a member of  the UCU, which has been supporting the action, took on a new job in higher education (HE), where membership to the IfL […]

Case for employer ownership unclear

The UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) has confirmed its most recent report was drawn up using no new data or research. Proposals made in the Employer Ownership of  Skills report were suggested by the 23  UKCES commissioners, of  which three represent both further and higher education, and three represent small and medium-sized employers. […]

Further 16-18 apprenticeship funding rate reduction

The government is proceeding with plans to reduce the national funding rate for 16 to 18 apprenticeships by another two per cent next year, despite under-spending by £15m in 2010/11. The rate reduction comes as youth unemployment continues to break records, which for 16 and 24 year-olds increased by 52,000 during the three months ending […]