From April 2010, the Skills Funding Agency will be the single funding provider for adult skills in England outside of higher education. Its main function will be to direct around £4 billion of funding to further education colleges and other skills providers including the third sector. Many of the changes have been in progress for some time, and many of the structures and personnel are now in place. A number of further changes are planned before April 2010. For more on the Skills Funding Agency visit:  www.dius.gov.uk/policy/raising_expectations

Learning for young people

For young people there will be a new national body, the Young People’s Learning Agency (YPLA), which will support local authorities in their new role in commissioning and funding 14-19 provision. From April 2010 local authorities will be responsible for the planning, commissioning and funding of learning provision for 16-19 year olds, young people up to age 25 with a learning difficulty assessment in place, and young offenders in youth custody.