Correspondence

DfE Update further education: 14 January 2026

Published 14 January 2026

Applies to England

© Crown copyright 2026

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dfe-update-14-january-2026/dfe-update-further-education-14-january-2026

1. Action: Be ready to register on the condition data collection (CDC) portal

The further education condition data collection 2 (FECDC2) surveys began in April 2025. All FE colleges have now had site visits from our surveyors.

We have started sharing completed FECDC2 condition survey reports with colleges and will continue to provide these as they are signed off by the Surveyors.

When your report is ready, you will receive a notification with clear steps on how to register on the CDC portal and access your report.

After you receive your report, you will have 5 weeks to review it and provide feedback.

Watch for your notification and be ready to register on the CDC portal when guidance arrives.

2. Information: Updated guidance on accountability statements and local needs duty

We have updated the guidance for college and local authority accountability statements and the local needs duty for the 2026 to 2027 academic year.

Key changes include:

  • revised submission deadline of Friday 31 July 2026
  • stronger alignment with Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs)
  • clearer expectations for early engagement with Employer Representative Bodies and Mayoral Strategic Authorities
  • flexibility to use existing strategic documents when drafting your statement

Read the updated college and local authority accountability statements guidance.

3. Information: FE College Condition Allocation 2026 to 2027

The FE College Condition Allocation (FECCA) will continue for the 2026 to 2027 financial year until the 2029 to 2030 financial year, as announced in the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy 2025.

Annual funding will not be less than the £302 million allocated in 2025 to 2026 and will be confirmed in due course.

This funding helps colleges maintain the condition of their estates. For 2026 to 2027, allocations will use a similar formula to 2025 to 2026 FECCA. Purpose and spend parameters will remain consistent but will be updated.

We plan to publish allocation amounts and spend guidance in March 2026. Funding will be paid from April 2026. From 2027 to 2028, the formula will include FECDC2 data as a condition weighting.

4. Information: Education records now available for year 11 pupils

Year 11 pupils in England whose schools joined the national pilot can now access their digital education record. This record brings together essential information in one place, including:

  • name, date of birth and address
  • schools attended
  • official exam results for qualifications such as GCSEs
  • support needs

Education records help pupils share accurate information for post-16 applications and enrolment.

FE providers can connect their Management Information System (MIS) to the education record service if their MIS vendor has set up integration. DfE has created a simple process for vendors to support this.

If your MIS vendor has not integrated, you can still collect information by asking learners to show their record on enrolment day.

Read more about education records

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