Briefing on the Publication of the Skills and Post-16 Education Bill

We expect several consultations to work out the details, and the Bill to ask for powers in the legislation for the Education Secretary to set regulations to move this ahead. [...] Questions to ask: • Our education and skills system can suffer from high levels of unproductive competition at present, as has been noted by the review of post 18 education and funding, the review of financial oversight and accountability and the Independent Commission on the College of the Future. [...] Intervention powers in case of failure - Ultimately, we need to move to a trust-based system that gives colleges the autonomy and accountability to meet employer and learner needs – and that government are assured that they have reserve powers to step in solely and explicitly in instances where this is not delivered on by colleges. [...] How do we redress this, by ensuring adequate funding for the sector in the upcoming spending review? What colleges need from the legislation It is welcome and significant that colleges are recognised as having a central role at the heart of our economic recovery, the plans to redress long-standing regional economies and transition to a net zero carbon economy. [...] It also moves in the opposite direction to the ambitions for a thriving college sector set out in the White Paper, and we are urging the government to reconsider this decision.