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Written question asked by Luke Evans (Conservative) on Thursday, 4 June 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 8 June 2026. It was answered by Andrew Western (Labour) on Monday, 29 June 2026 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Skilled Workers: Finance

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of differing levels of skills funding between mayoral and non-mayoral combined authorities on trends in the level of (a) educational achievement, (b) regional social mobility, and (c) job creation.

Answer

Skills provision is funded in a number of different ways including but not limited to 16-19 funding, the Adult Skills Fund (ASF), Apprenticeships funding, and Advanced Learner Loans. There are no plans to make the proposed assessment, as the costs to do so would be disproportionate.

The ASF fully funds or co-funds education and skills training for eligible adults aged 19 and above from pre-entry to level 3, to help them gain the skills they need for work, an apprenticeship or further learning, with the aim to in particular support adults with low earnings or skills, both in work and unemployed.

As of August 2025, approximately 68% of the ASF is devolved to 12 Strategic Authorities (SAs) and the Greater London Authority. These authorities are responsible for the provision of ASF-funded adult education for their residents and allocation of the ASF to learning providers. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is responsible for the remaining ASF in non-devolved areas.

The current levels of funding for the devolved authorities and the residual share for serving learners in non-devolved areas are based on their share of the Adult Education Budget in 2017/18 (the previous name for the Adult Skills Fund).

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
6797
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Education Finance Job creation Standards Combined authorities Skilled workers Social mobility
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk