DfE Update further education: 22 April 2026
Published 22 April 2026
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2026
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dfe-update-22-april-2026/dfe-update-further-education-22-april-2026
1. Information: Advanced learner loans and adult skills fund allocations for the 2026 to 2027 funding year
We have now issued advanced learner loan facilities and bursaries and adult skills fund allocations for the 2026 to 2027 funding year.
Allocations are available in a new format on manage your education and skills funding.
You need one of the following roles to view your allocation statement:
- contract authoriser
- contract manager
- contract user
- data returns and claims authoriser
We have:
- published a timeline so that you know when to expect information from us
- updated our allocations guidance to explain how we’ve calculated your allocation
- updated the digital statement layout to better meet user needs and enhance our internal processes
If you need to raise a business case, use the digital form.
For more information, please refer to your funding agreement. If you have questions after reading our guidance, or if there’s anything else you need help with, you can find more support in our customer help centre.
2. Information: Submit financial data – independent training providers, special post-16 institutions and non-maintained special schools
Independent training providers, specialist post-16 institutions and non-maintained special schools can now test a new online service to submit financial statements.
If you hold a current contract and your financial statements are due for assessment, you can choose to submit them through the new submit financial data online platform. Using the service now, will help shape how it works ahead of its full introduction.
As part of the trial, your organisation may receive automated emails confirming submission deadlines and inviting you to use the portal. These emails will form part of the final service.
Submission through the portal is optional at this stage. You must still follow submission deadlines and documentation requirements set out in the financial handbook for independent training providers and the DfE financial health assessment guidance.
After submitting, you may be invited to share feedback through surveys or interviews to support service improvement.
For support during the trial, email submitfinancialdata.contact@education.gov.uk.