SFA funding statements annual notifications

20 Mar 2015 11:21 AM

We will be issuing funding statements to colleges and training organisations setting out their funding allocation for the 2015 to 2016 funding year.

The Skills Funding letter published by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) on the 26 February sets out the government’s priorities. The letter is addressed to the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) but is a key document for the sector. In line with the priorities in the letter, in calculating allocations we have:

• prioritised apprenticeship provision
• maintained the current level of investment in traineeships
• maintained the current level of investment in English and maths

Whilst finalising allocations we have revised the allocations methodology, the final version and a letter from Keith Smith, Director Funding and Programmes, will be sent out with funding statements today (20 March 2015).

If you use assistive technology and need a version of this documentin a more accessible format, please email info@sfa.bis.gov.uk.Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

In February, our Chief Executive, Peter Lauener wrote to colleges and training organisations about the funding for 2015 to 2016. He acknowledged this will be challenging year and that individual colleges and training providers may wish to talk to us about their individual circumstances.

We continue our dialogue with the colleges and training organisations to ensure they are clear of what their allocations mean for them and we are in the process of contacting those most affected by reductions in the other adult skills budget to discuss the implications for their organisation. Colleges and training providers wishing to discuss their funding statements should contact their CDS Adviser in the first instance.

In the meantime we continue to make good progress in streamlining the funding system (i.e. by removing the monthly learner funding cap). We know there is more to do and we will continue to work with the sector on all areas of simplification.

A full list of allocations will be published on our website in July 2015, once contracts have been issued. Activity for the funding year 2015 to 2016 begins on 1 August 2015.