Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government why guidance to the Office for Students on the allocation of the 2026–27 Strategic Priorities Grant has been delayed; and what plans they have to mitigate the funding risks this delay has caused.

Decisions on the Strategic Priorities Grant for the coming academic year, including both capital and programme funding, are still being finalised, and any announcements will be made in due course. This timing also reflects the need to align allocations with the wider department business planning process, including the confirmation of budgets, strategic priorities, and affordability across the spending period, to ensure that funding decisions are sustainable and deliver maximum impact.

The department is working closely with the Office for Students to manage the timing of allocations and support a smooth translation into sector guidance.