MPs say devolving 16–19 education to strategic authorities is vital to boosting growth and improving young people’s prospects, alongside urgent investment in the further education sector.
In a new report, the Education Committee warns that 15 years of underfunding have left colleges struggling with staff recruitment, stagnant pay, and a lack of parity with schools. They call for a statutory pay review body, fairer funding, and a new ‘student premium’ to support disadvantaged learners.
A key recommendation is to devolve responsibility for education and training for 16–19-year-olds to strategic authorities, to be included in the forthcoming English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill. The Committee also urges stronger coordination across local and regional bodies, with a Skills Co-ordination Board to simplify engagement for employers.
Chair Helen Hayes said FE had been ‘treated like Cinderella’ for too long and must now be recognised as an engine of national and local prosperity.
