PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE
Education - 22 April 2025 (Commons/Written Corrections)

The Government inherited a very challenging fiscal context, and we have had to make a small reduction to the overall adult skills budget for next year. However, we will still be investing £1.4 billion in the adult skills fund next year. It is in the region of 3% across the academic year, which equates to around £40 million.

[Official Report, Third Delegated Legislation Committee, 1 April 2025; c. 7.]

Written correction submitted by the Under-Secretary of State for Education, the hon. Member for Lewisham East (Janet Daby):

The Government inherited a very challenging fiscal context, and we have had to make a small reduction to the overall adult skills budget for next year. However, we will still be investing more than £1.4 billion in the adult skills fund next year. It is in the region of 3% across the academic year, which equates to around £40 million.

The national statutory entitlement is to get the equivalent of GCSE level in maths and English, so that young people aged 19 to 23 have a second chance to get qualifications. Consultation has taken place in those three areas, and overwhelmingly, over 60% have confidence that the devolved money will be used for those local areas.

[Official Report, Third Delegated Legislation Committee, 1 April 2025; c. 7.]

Written correction submitted by the Under-Secretary of State for Education, the hon. Member for Lewisham East (Janet Daby):

The national statutory entitlement is to get the equivalent of GCSE level in maths and English, so that young people and adults aged 19 to 23 have a second chance to get qualifications. Consultation has taken place in those three areas, and overwhelmingly, over 60% agreed with the proposals.