Education

UK government’s post-16 education reforms face challenge of balancing innovation and stability

Wednesday, 22 October 2025 4:03AM UTC

The UK’s latest white paper on post-16 education aims to revitalise a neglected sector but encounters criticism over funding, qualifications, and sector priorities, signalling a cautious path towards reform.

Further education (FE) in the UK has long been regarded as a neglected sector within the public services, often overshadowed by the focus on schools. This systemic underinvestment has left colleges struggling to meet the demands for quality technical education and skills training, critical in today’s changing economy. The government’s recent white paper on post-16 education represents an attempt to address these deficiencies and could mark a positive step towards fulfilling commitments to broaden opportunity for young people. However, this initiative is a mixed bag, offering both welcome reforms and concerning missteps.

Historically, investment in non-academic training has declined sharply since 2010. The Conservative government’s apprenticeship levy, introduced in 2017, aimed to boost employer-funded training but has largely failed to achieve its intended outcomes. Reports from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) reveal that many levy-paying employers do not believe the scheme has increased their training investments. Apprenticeship starts have plummeted, falling from over half a million prior to the levy to fewer than 400,000 just after its rollout, with employers often redirecting funds towards existing staff rather than creating entry-level opportunities. This disconnect has been compounded by the levy’s restrictions, which exclude shorter, tailored courses vital for industries such as hospitality and retail, ultimately hampering broader skills development.

The government’s latest proposals continue to prioritise sectors like defence, artificial intelligence, green energy, and construction, the latter targeting the creation of 60,000 new jobs. While these focus areas reflect the aims of a modern, innovation-driven economy, the apparent sidelining of social care and the creative industries is a missed opportunity. These sectors are vital for economic diversity and employment but receive scant attention in the current plans.

A notable structural change has been the transfer of responsibility for skills training from the Department for Education to the Department for Work and Pensions. This shift reflects a pragmatic approach designed to tackle the pressing issue of the one million 16- to 24-year-olds not in education, employment, or training. Linking jobcentres more closely with training pathways could help bridge skills gaps and reduce youth unemployment, provided these connections are actively nurtured.

The introduction of Skills England, a national body established only a year ago, alongside regional authorities, promises a more decentralised strategy. Empowering local politicians and employers to address specific labour market needs may be key to overcoming the persistent “skills chasm” between London, the south-east, and other regions. Greater flexibility in how employers utilise funding, including relaxing the rigid apprenticeship levy rules, could incentivise more relevant and adaptable training opportunities. Yet, this flexibility must come with enhanced accountability to ensure that employers improve the quality and accessibility of training for new entrants to the workforce.

Funding remains an area of concern. Although Bridget Phillipson secured a funding boost for colleges recently, disparities in resources and pay compared to schools persist. Further, the Office for National Statistics' decision to reclassify further education institutions as public sector bodies from August 2024 adds another layer of complexity, reflecting how integral FE colleges have become to the government's social infrastructure. This move may also influence the sector’s funding and governance models.

The reforms to qualifications constitute one of the more contentious elements of the new proposals. While relaxing the requirements for GCSE retakes in maths and English is widely welcomed, the introduction of new vocational “V-levels” has been less smooth. The decision to phase out existing vocational qualifications like BTecs before new alternatives are fully established has caused considerable disruption. FE colleges are reportedly struggling to adapt, raising the risk that more young people will leave education underqualified and unable to secure meaningful employment.

The inclusion of higher education within the same policy document has drawn criticism. Many argue that the funding crisis facing universities, while urgent, deserves separate and focused treatment to avoid diluting the imperative of FE reform. The current approach risks reinforcing the longstanding notion that FE and skills training are of secondary importance to academic pathways.

In sum, the government’s latest white paper on post-16 education acknowledges many of the challenges facing further education and sets out important measures to strengthen the sector. However, past failures—particularly relating to the apprenticeship levy—and emerging issues around qualifications reform mean the outcome remains uncertain. Success will depend on effectively balancing national priorities with local needs, ensuring sufficient and fair funding, and carefully managing transitions in vocational qualifications to avoid disadvantaging young learners. If ministers engage constructively with the college sector and commit to sustainable investment, these proposals could mark a turning point after years of neglect in further education.

📌 Reference Map:

Paragraph 1 – ^[1] (The Guardian)
Paragraph 2 – ^[1] (The Guardian), ^[2] (CIPD), ^[3] (The Grocer), ^[4] (Ross Martin)
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Paragraph 4 – ^[1] (The Guardian)
Paragraph 5 – ^[1] (The Guardian), ^[6] (UK Government)
Paragraph 6 – ^[1] (The Guardian), ^[5] (Forbes Solicitors)
Paragraph 7 – ^[1] (The Guardian)
Paragraph 8 – ^[1] (The Guardian)

Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/oct/21/the-guardian-view-on-post-16-education-colleges-need-attention-but-the-latest-proposals-are-a-mixed-bag - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.cipd.org/en/about/press-releases-archive/apprenticeship-levy-workplace-training/ - A 2019 CIPD report reveals that the apprenticeship levy has failed to boost workplace training investment. Only 31% of levy-paying employers believe it will increase training spend, down from 45% in 2017. Additionally, 58% feel it will have no impact or reduce training expenditure. The levy has also led to fewer apprenticeships, with starts dropping from 509,400 in 2015/16 to 375,800 in 2017/18. The CIPD calls for a broader training levy to address these issues.
https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/analysis-and-features/how-the-apprenticeship-levy-became-a-3bn-swindle/678742.article - An analysis in The Grocer highlights the shortcomings of the UK's apprenticeship levy introduced in 2017. Despite raising £13.9bn, only £11.2bn has been spent, leaving £2.7bn unaccounted for. The scheme's rigid requirements exclude short, tailored courses in sectors like grocery and hospitality, hindering access to further training. Critics argue that without serious reform, the levy fails to meet its intended goals.
https://www.rossmartin.co.uk/sme-tax-news/5506-apprenticeship-levy-scheme-failing-says-cipd - A 2020 article on Ross Martin Tax Consultancy discusses the CIPD's findings on the apprenticeship levy. The scheme has led to a decline in apprenticeship starts, with numbers falling from 494,900 in 2016/17 to 322,500 in 2019/20. Employer investment in training has also decreased, with off-the-job training in England dropping by £2.3bn between 2017 and 2019. The CIPD advocates for a more flexible skills levy to address these issues.
https://www.forbessolicitors.co.uk/articles/further-education-colleges-reclassified-as-public-sector-bodies - In December 2022, the Office for National Statistics reclassified further education corporations, sixth form college corporations, and designated institutions in England as public sector bodies, making them part of central government. This change, effective from August 2024, follows a review by the ONS and signifies a significant shift in the sector's classification.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/investing-in-what-works-in-further-education-and-adult-learning/investing-in-what-works-activity-in-further-education-and-adult-learning-policy-brief - A UK government policy brief outlines the scope of the further education and adult learning sector, which includes a range of public, private, and voluntary providers. The sector delivers various learning, from basic skills to specialist vocational training. Publicly funded provision includes funding for 16-18-year-olds in further education, the Adult Education Budget, and apprenticeships.
https://www.parliament.uk/pa/ld201719/ldselect/ldeconaf/139/13920.htm - A House of Lords report discusses the funding and structure of further education in Wales. Since 2006, FE has been devolved and funded by the Welsh Government. The report details funding allocations, including an extra £2.5m for 2018/19 and £4.2m for 2019/20 to support programmes aimed at improving skills. It also mentions the Education Maintenance Allowance of £30 a week for FE students.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 10

Notes: ✅ The narrative is fresh, published on 21 October 2025, the day after the UK government's Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper was released on 20 October 2025. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/post-16-education-and-skills-white-paper?utm_source=openai))

Quotes check

Score: 10

Notes: ✅ No direct quotes are present in the narrative, indicating original content.

Source reliability

Score: 10

Notes: ✅ The narrative originates from The Guardian, a reputable UK newspaper known for its journalistic standards.

Plausability check

Score: 10

Notes: ✅ The claims align with the UK government's recent education reforms, including the introduction of V Levels and the reclassification of further education institutions as public sector bodies. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/post-16-education-and-skills-white-paper?utm_source=openai))

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary: ✅ The narrative is fresh, original, and originates from a reputable source. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/post-16-education-and-skills-white-paper?utm_source=openai)) It accurately reflects recent UK government education reforms, indicating high credibility.

further education
skills training
apprenticeship levy