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Written question asked by Lord Blunkett (Labour) on Monday, 1 December 2025, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 December 2025. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Monday, 15 December 2025 on behalf of the Department for Education.

V-levels

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government, with regard to the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Act 2025 – Report on exercise of the Secretary of State’s functions, published on 27 November, what the role of Ofqual will be in the development of V levels, and what transitional arrangements they have made to maintain level 3 options for 16 to 19 year olds prior to the introduction of the new qualifications.

Answer

Ofqual will set the design rules for V Level structure, assessment and grading which each V Level must meet. In addition to the General Conditions of Recognition, these V Level specific conditions will be used to regulate awarding organisations’ design and delivery of every V Level, in the same way that each A level is regulated.

Ofqual will consider the regulatory approach that best meets the policy intent for V Levels and will consult on their plans in due course.

The department will work with Ofqual and awarding organisations on the approach to development and roll-out to ensure providers have as much time as possible to prepare for the delivery of V Levels.

In our consultation, we outlined plans to transition to V Levels while maintaining Level 3 options for 16 to19-year-olds. The government response will confirm the route order, implementation timetable, and priority subjects for first teaching in 2027.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL12482
Session
2024-26
Related items
V-levels
Monday, 12 January 2026
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects
Ofqual V-levels
Legislation
Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Act 2025
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk