YPLA to take over funding for 16 -19 provision

Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Education, has announced that the Young People's Learning Agency (YPLA) is to take over responsibility for 16-19 skills funding as of next month.

The announcement comes only 4 months after responsibility for skills funding was transferred to local authorities under the Apprenticeship, Skills, Children and Learning Act passed under the former Government.

The FE sector has largely welcomed the announcement, after many colleges had raised concerns about the capacity of local authorities to deal with post 16 learning and the additional complexity this would bring to the system.

Nick Linford, Head of the Pearson Centre for Policy and Learning, commented: "With consistent reminders of our straitened times, it is crucial that funds are used on the learners rather than overly complex administration. Local authorities will now be able to focus on the important work of building really positive relationships with colleges and other providers, rather than being weighed down by the burdens of administration."

However,  others in the FE sector have raised concerns that the move will only create further disruption.