Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of funding for further education.

Further Education plays a critical role in delivering the Government’s Missions and ensuring that everyone has access to the opportunities they need, breaking down the barriers to their success and boosting economic growth.

On 1st July we announced an extra £120 million for further education in financial year 2026 to 27 rising to £365 million in 2027 to 28.

Together with increases for post-16 schools this means funding per 16-19 student will have increased by over 12% in two years – comparing academic year 2026 to 27 with 2024 to 25. And this is at a time of significant growth in student numbers. As a result, total 16 - 19 funding will increase from £7.6 billion in academic year 2024 to 25 to over £9 billion in 2026 to 27.

For academic year 2026 to 2027, we are committing to fund, in-year, all exceptional growth in 16 - 19 funded students, this means that institutions can have confidence to offer suitable places in post-16 education for every young person that wants one.