Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of delays to the procurement of Adult Skills Fund provision by the Tees Valley Combined Authority on (a) access to training for unemployed adults and (b) value for money from devolved Adult Skills Fund allocations; and what steps his Department is taking to ensure that funding allocated for the 2026-27 academic year is used effectively.

The Adult Skills Fund (ASF) fully funds or co-funds education and skills training for eligible adults aged 19 and above from pre-entry to level 3, to help them gain the skills they need for work, an apprenticeship or further learning.

As of August 2026, approximately 76% of the ASF is devolved to 20 Strategic Authorities. By honouring our commitments to further devolve adult skills funding, we are giving those with local knowledge the power they need to make decisions that are best for their areas and their residents.

Under the arrangements set out in devolution deals, these Strategic Authorities – including Tees Valley Combined Authority – assume all responsibilities for the provision of ASF-funded adult education for their residents and allocation of the ASF to learning providers. The impact of any delays to procurement would therefore be a matter for the Strategic Authority to assess.

As set out in the English Devolution Accountability Framework, Strategic Authorities in receipt of devolved adult skills funding must provide Government with an Annual Skills Assurance Report on the delivery of adult education functions, in line with wider monitoring and evaluation requirements.