Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of further education colleges on supporting students not in employment, education or training.

The government is investing nearly £9 billion in 16 to19 education in the 2026/27 academic year 2026/27. This will fund the increasing numbers of 16 to 19-year-olds taking part in education. Alongside this, the government is taking important steps to support young people who are not in education, employment, or training (NEET) or at risk, with further education (FE) providers playing a central role.

We are strengthening the September Guarantee to improve transitions from school to post-16 education. This will give schools a greater role in identifying a post-16 place and the additional support that young people at risk of NEET need, working closely with FE providers. Pilots are testing how young people without a post-16 plan can be allocated a suitable place with wraparound support.

New Risk of NEET Indicator tools, enhanced data sharing between local authorities, schools, and FE providers, and improved attendance monitoring will enable earlier identification and intervention.