Correspondence

DfE Update local authorities: 29 April 2026

Published 29 April 2026

Applies to England

1. Information: Advanced learner loans – funding and performance management rules for 2026 to 2027, and maximum loan amounts 

We have published the advanced learner loans (ALL) funding and performance management rules for funding year 2026 to 2027. From January 2027 there will be a single performance management point. The rules apply to all education and training providers with a Department for Education (DfE) loans facility.  

We have also published the maximum loan amounts guide for funding year 2026 to 2027. This document confirms we have maintained the same maximum loan amounts for qualifications that were designated for loans in 2025 to 2026. 

If you have any questions after reading our rules, or if there’s anything else you need help with, you can find more support on our customer help portal.

2. Information: Advanced learner loans – launch of the application service for 2026 to 2027 

The ALL application service for 2026 to 2027 will be available from Monday 8 June 2026 for learners who wish to start eligible qualifications from Saturday 1 August 2026 funded with a loan. 

Our updated learning and funding information and letter templates for 2026 to 2027 are now available.

3. Information: 16 to 19 subcontracting data   

We have published the 16 to 19 subcontracting data for academic year 2024 to 2025. 

This publication includes subcontracting data for further education (FE) institutions, schools and academies funded by DfE. It is based on the R14 individualised learner record  return produced by FE institutions, and the autumn census return for schools and academies.

4. Information: Adult skills fund rules 2026 to 2027 

We will issue the next version of the adult skills fund rules in late spring 2026. This will include the performance management section. We don’t expect major policy changes, but we will add clarifications to ensure consistent interpretation and implementation. 

If you have any questions, please contact our customer help centre.

5. Information: AI leadership apprenticeship units updated 

We have updated the AI leadership apprenticeship units to reflect early employer feedback.  

Following engagement led by Skills England, employers told us that the Developing AI Strategy unit would work better if split into smaller units. This will help businesses target specific skills gaps more flexibly.  

We have replaced the original unit with 3 new AI leadership units:  

• AI strategy and opportunity  

• AI adoption, procurement and governance  

• AI delivery and organisational transformation  

The overall content is unchanged. Learners can take 1 or 2 more units where appropriate to their role and in line with the funding rules.   

The updated units are now available at  Skills England.

6. Information: Post-16 National Insurance contributions grant 

We have published the guidance for the post-16 National Insurance contributions grant for financial year 2026 to 2027. 

The guidance explains who is eligible, how we calculate allocations and when we will pay the grant. It supports institutions with the increase in employer National Insurance contributions for post-16 education. 

We expect to publish the conditions of grant and the allocations in May. We will share a further update when these are available.

7. Reminder: Apprenticeship unit funding rules for April to July 2026 published 

We have published version 1 of the  Apprenticeship unit funding rules, 2026 to 2027. We also published updated guidance on learning support and reservations.   

The rules and guidance help providers prepare to deliver apprenticeship units from Tuesday 28 April 2026. They set out how we will fund apprenticeship units and what providers need to do to claim funding.  

You can find the full list of available apprenticeship units, including their funding rates, at  Skills England.

8. Your Feedback: Draft apprenticeship funding rules 2026 to 2027 published 

We have published the draft Apprenticeship funding rules for the 2026 to 2027 academic year.  

Providers, employers and other stakeholders should review the draft rules now and share feedback to help shape the final version.  

Email comments to fundingrules.comments@dwp.gov.uk on or before Wednesday 6 May 2026.  

We will review all responses and publish the final funding rules in May 2026.  

These rules set out how we will fund apprenticeships and the conditions organisations must meet to receive funding. Reviewing the draft early will support smooth planning for 2026 to 2027.

9. Events and webinars: DfE Energy for schools: a new way to buy energy for your school or trust  

Tuesday 12 May 2026, 10 am to 11am.  Register on Eventbrite.