Listen to this story Members can listen to an AI-generated audio version of this article. 1.0x Audio narration uses an AI-generated voice. 0:00 0:00 Become a member to listen to this article Subscribe Councils are scrambling to spend extra adult education funding that was previously delivered by independent training providers and overseen by Whitehall officials. At the start of this academic year, the Department for Work and Pensions handed Adult Skills Fund grant increases of up to 60 per cent to 19 local authorities chosen for the government’s ‘pathway to devolution’ programme. Officials say the scheme, now in its second year, is designed to test whether local authorities are “better placed” to address their local skills needs than central government by using funding that was previously spent in their areas via the nationally procured adult education contract launched in 2023. Become a member for unlimited access to FE Week Our members enjoy early access to exclusive content and in-depth articles before anyone else. Get expert journalism on FE and skills, experience fewer ads, and unlock a growing range of member benefits. subscribe If you have an account, please login. Sign in