Consultation outcome

Future development of loans in further education

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government
This consultation has concluded

Download the full outcome

Detail of outcome

Respondents recognised it would be better for an expansion of loans to be considered alongside a broader review of adult skills funding in the forthcoming Spending Review. However, from the 2016 to 2017 academic year, we’re relaxing the rules on accessing loans. We want to support those seeking multiple qualifications at the same time or same level, to help their career progression.


Original consultation

Summary

We are seeking views on how loans in further education might be developed in the future.

This consultation ran from
to

Consultation description

We gathered views on proposals for a further expansion of loans in the further education sector. The proposed expansion aims to:

  • provide access to learning for the widest possible group of people
  • simplify the current funding system, so it is easy to understand, and learners have greater control over their learning choices
  • strengthen incentives for learners engaging in training and skills development
  • widen access and strengthen alignment with higher education funding

We also gathered feedback on how the current system is working and ideas for improving loans in further education more generally.

We are taking the time necessary to fully analyse a diverse set of responses to our recent consultation. We will ensure we make decisions in the context of wider government objectives. The Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) will publish its response early in the new year.

Documents

Published 19 June 2014
Last updated 24 March 2015 + show all updates
  1. Government response published.

  2. The department will publish its response early in the new year (2015).

  3. First published.