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14 June 2026

Author: Shane Chowen

Spending review: AoC calls for largest ever FE cash boost

The Association of Colleges is making its largest ever call for investment in FE. In its submission to Treasury ahead of next month’s spending review and autumn budget, the AoC argues for a 50 per cent increase in total revenue spending on further education and skills. This would mean that in 2024/25, the sector’s revenue […]

ESFA opens up claims against AEB clawback

Colleges facing adult education budget clawback have four weeks to make their case to keep the unused cash. Six months after announcing the controversial 90 per cent threshold for 2020/21 adult education budget reconciliation, the Education and Skills Funding Agency are from today open to receive business cases from affected colleges. To be eligible, colleges […]

Sector views sought on domestic abuse guidance

Colleges and other education organisations are being asked for views on new statutory guidance on domestic abuse by the Home Office.  The consultation is being aimed at all organisations with a statutory responsibility for safeguarding, including local authorities, Jobcentre Plus, police forces as well as all education settings from early years to higher education settings.  […]

It’s time for the devolved authorities to lead on skills

Central government agencies have failed to produce a successful skills policy – now it’s time for the devolved authorities to take over, argues Shane Chowen Next to reforming technical education and apprenticeships, the devolution of the adult education budget to newly elected Metro-Mayors is up there as one of the most disruptive policy agendas in […]

FE deserves a seat at the Brexit table

We still don’t know what Brexit will look like, but as FE has so much skin in the game, it deserves a say in talks This week marks one year since the referendum on the UK’s membership of the European Union, a toxic time in our political and democratic history. Perhaps the divisions are still […]

What will replace the European Social Fund?

After Brexit, the government must replace the £500 million provided every year by the European Social Fund for people in disadvantaged circumstances, says Shane Chowen It’s only been a month since that windy Tuesday morning when the prime minister announced that the country will face a general election on 8 June. When parliament resumes on […]