AELP welcomes plans to integrate ESFA functions into Department for Education
AELP has today welcomed plans for the functions currently carried out by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) to be integrated into the Department for Education (DfE).
The ESFA is currently an executive agency of the DfE and the transfer of its functions will happen in two stages. The Schools Financial Support and Oversight functions will transfer from 1 October 2024 and be brought together with Regions Group, part of the Department. This will aim to provide a single voice for schools and ensure that financial improvement is central to school improvement. The government will then centralise the ESFA’s core funding and assurance functions into the DfE and close the organisation on 31 March 2025, to align the transfer of responsibilities to the financial reporting year.
Ben Rowland, Chief Executive of AELP, said:
"AELP welcomes today’s news that the ESFA’s functions are to be integrated into the Department for Education. Bringing operational funding and compliance closer to policy and strategy should be a positive move, and something AELP highlighted in the review of the ESFA in 2022. This change is also an opportunity to remove regulatory duplication, an increasing concern for AELP’s members. That said, this is not a fundamental change, and audit and compliance should continue as normal. At AELP, we have built a strong relationship with the ESFA, with recent collaboration on the handbook. We look forward to continuing this relationship, while the integration is taking place.”
The Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) is a national membership body, proudly representing organisations operating in the skills sector. AELP members deliver a range of training and vocational learning – including the majority of apprenticeships as well as Skills Bootcamps, 16-19 Study Programme, Adult Education Budget and more.
For further information or interviews please contact Matt Strong, Communications Manager, AELP, on 07920 161685 or [email protected]
AELP welcomes plans to integrate ESFA functions into Department for Education
For further information or interviews please contact Matt Strong, Communications Manager, AELP, on 07920 161685 or [email protected]
