Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of charging awarding organisations for the approval of qualifications and the effect of this on the qualifications sector.

The Skills and Post-16 Education Bill introduces provision for the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education to charge fees in connection with the approval or continued approval of technical education qualifications.

An initial assessment of the impact of charging fees for the approval of technical education qualifications has been published as part of the wider Skills and Post-16 Education Bill impact assessment and can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skills-and-post-16-education-bill-impact-assessment-and-jchr-memorandum.

As set out in the bills policy summary note: “approval fees would be charged on a cost-recovery basis. Any approach designed would be proportionate and take into account the impacts on the market to ensure the range of approved qualifications meets the needs of employers and learners, including qualifications in niche areas.”.

The intention is that the introduction of fees will not be considered until the initial reforms to technical qualifications have been implemented. The fee-charging power would be subject to regulations published by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education. A further assessment of the impact of the regulations on the market will be undertaken when the regulations are being made.