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Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Johnson of Marylebone (Conservative). It was answered on Tuesday, 24 February 2026.

Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper

Question: My Lords, the lifelong learning entitlement was intended to usher in a skills revolution. But I fear that it will turn into a pea-shooter initiative unless the funding, the eligibility of which is restricted to level 4 and level 5 courses, is widened so that students can take level 7 courses. Will the Government set out what plans they have to do that?

Answer: It is important that we introduce the lifelong learning entitlement in a relatively restricted way, enabling us to build for the future. The key requirements, which I was addressing yesterday, are to provide flexibility for students at levels 4, 5 and 6. Those are the first priorities that we have set for the lifelong learning entitlement.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 853 c474
Session: 2024-26
Oral question type: Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Lords chamber
Subjects: Adult education Further education Lifelong education White papers Reform Training
Legislation: Skills and Post-16 Education Bill (HL) 2021-22
Link: View this Oral question on hansard.parliament.uk