Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps Skills England plans to take to devolve long-term skills funding allocations to regional combined authorities.

As set out in the Cabinet statement “Rewiring the State” in July, the Government is working to give local leaders the power to drive growth. This will include empowering mayors to offer a high-quality locally tailored technical or vocational route from age 16, underpinned by control of the budget for 16- to 19-year-olds. We are working on how to put that into practice, in discussion with Strategic Authorities.

For adults over 19, the Adult Skills Fund (ASF) is intended to engage adults and provide the skills and learning they need to equip them for work, an apprenticeship or further learning. As of August 2026, approximately 76% of the ASF is devolved to 20 Strategic Authorities (SAs). These authorities are responsible for the provision of ASF-funded adult education for their residents and allocation of the ASF to learning providers. A further six areas are currently preparing for the transfer of ASF responsibilities from the 2027/28 academic year onwards. By honouring our commitments to combine and further devolve adult skills funding, we are giving those with local knowledge the power they need to make decisions that best support their communities.