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DfE Update local authorities: 27 May 2026

Published 27 May 2026

Applies to England

© Crown copyright 2026

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dfe-update-27-may-2026/dfe-update-local-authorities-27-may-2026

1. Action: Transfer adult skills core funding to free courses for jobs for funding year 2026 to 2027

We changed how we fund free courses for jobs (FCFJ) in funding year 2025 to 2026. We now fund all eligible learners through your FCFJ funding lines. This includes delivery for learners aged 19 to 23 that we previously funded through adult skills core funding.

If this change affects your provision for funding year 2026 to 2027, you can request a one‑time transfer of funding from adult skills core to FCFJ. The window for this opened on 28 April 2026.

You must:

  • request the transfer for affected 19 to 23 delivery only
  • submit a business case using the digital form on or before 29 May 2026

You can find your updated calculator on Document exchange. This also shows your learners aged 19 to 23 for adult skills fund allocations for funding year 2026 to 2027.

Read the adult education and skills funding allocation technical guidance 2026 to 2027 for more information. If you need support, contact us through the Customer Help Portal.

2. Information: Import/export data for 2026 to 2027  

Local authorities can now view their import/export data through DfE sign-in. You can use your data to:

  • review the total net import/export adjustment calculation to your local authority’s dedicated schools grant (DSG)
  • request a DSG adjustment if you find a data error

If you need to report where schools or colleges have incorrectly recorded the census or individual learner record data used in the import/export adjustment, complete the digital form by 5pm on Friday, 17 July 2026. 

Read our:

We emailed local authorities with this information and shared contact details of other local authorities to support you.

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