Combined Authorities (Adult Education Functions) (Amendment) Order 2025

Earl of Effingham Excerpts

Monday 7th July 2025 Grand Committee

[Baroness in Waiting/Government Whip (Baroness Blake of Leeds) (Lab)]

My Lords, I thank the Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee and the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments for the scrutiny provided on this draft statutory instrument, which was laid in Parliament on 19 May 2025. If this order is approved, the Department for Education will transfer an additional funding power to nine existing combined authorities to enable them to use their adult skills fund allocation to fund new technical qualifications that have been approved for adults from the academic year on 1 August 2025.

The function being transferred to these combined authorities is under Section 100(1B) of the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009—namely, the power to

“secure the provision of financial resources … in connection with approved technical education qualifications or approved steps towards occupational competence”.

This power will be carried out by each of the combined authorities, in respect of their area, concurrently with the Secretary of State. This will enable combined authorities to fund new technical qualifications for adults approved for funding at level 2 and level 3 from 1 August 2025.

The new technical qualifications are of high quality, are aligned with occupational standards and offer learners clear routes into skilled employment. One hundred and ten reformed technical qualifications at levels 2 and 3 have been approved to be first taught in the next academic year. These qualifications have been co-designed with employers to ensure that the skills needs of business and industry are better served and that clear progression pathways are created, delivering the outcomes that learners need, either to enter a skilled job or progress within a skilled career.

Learners deserve high-quality qualifications that meet their needs. If this order is approved, these nine combined authorities with existing adult education powers will have the freedom to fund these qualifications in order to meet the local needs of learners and employers. Transferring this power is key to reducing regional disparities, by ensuring that all authorities have access to reformed, high-quality qualifications.

If this draft order is approved, the nine combined authorities can choose to fund new technical qualifications available for delivery from August 2025 onwards, if they wish. It is a statutory requirement for public consultation to take place before changes are made to a combined authority’s existing arrangements. The Department for Education carried out a public consultation in November last year, and 85% of respondents agreed that the Secretary of State should transfer this additional power to the existing combined authorities. Each of the combined authorities affected, and all their constituent councils, have consented to the transfer of this power and the making of this order.

An order can be made only if the appropriate consent is given and the Secretary of State considers that the statutory tests are met. Those tests are that making the order is: first,

“likely to improve the economic, social and environmental well-being of … the people who live or work in the areas to which this Order relates”;

and, secondly, is

“appropriate having regard to the need to secure effective and convenient local government, and to reflect the identities and interests of local communities”.

These combined authorities have already demonstrated effective administration of the adult skills fund allocated to them. They have a detailed understanding of the skills challenges facing their areas, and their strategic plans reflect the interests and identities of their local communities. Making the order will enable the combined authorities to provide the full range of technical qualifications that have been approved for adults. Therefore, I confirm that we have concluded that the statutory tests are met.

I take this opportunity to thank all our partner organisations and colleagues and the relevant combined authorities for their time, expertise and input. To conclude, this order will give nine combined authorities the ability to fund new technical qualifications delivery from August 2025 onwards, to meet local skills needs, to enhance economic growth and to bring greater prosperity to their regions. I beg to move.

[The Earl of Effingham (Con)]

My Lords, I thank the Minister for introducing this order. The adult skills fund plays a vital role in helping adult learners gain the practical skills and qualifications needed for meaningful employment across key sectors. The fund was introduced by the previous Government to support adult learners. Tailored learning helps to equip them with essential vocational skills such as English, maths and digital literacy, as well as covering a range of sectors from business management to health and social care.