Skills Bootcamps funding allocations: 2026 to 2027
Updated 1 June 2026
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2026
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skills-bootcamps-funding-allocations/skills-bootcamps-funding-allocations-2026-to-2027
Skills Bootcamps were introduced in 2020 to support adults to upskill and retrain in priority sectors with skills shortages such as construction, digital and heavy goods vehicle (HGV) driving.
They are employer co-designed, flexible courses of up to 16 weeks, with an offer of a job interview for eligible participants on completion of the course.
Skills Bootcamps have previously been funded through local grants and contracts managed by the Department for Education (DfE). From the 2025 to 2026 financial year, DfE (Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) from the 2026 to 2027 financial year following the move of adult skills responsibility to DWP) will directly fund devolved mayoral strategic authorities through either an integrated settlement or a single adult skills allocation (comprising un-ringfenced and merged Adult Skills Fund, Free Courses for Jobs and Skills Bootcamps funding) and other non-devolved local areas without a mayor will continue to be grant funded.
A new funding formula has been introduced in the 2026 to 2027 financial year to determine local allocations. Each area is allocated a proportionate share of available funding based on their historical grant spend in the 2024 to 2025 financial year (or an average if there is no history). This replaces the previous approach under which allocations were based on maximum demand indicated through historical delivery and proposals submitted by local areas.
The change in allocation methodology means it is not possible to directly compare 2026 to 2027 allocations with prior years.
Allocations summary
| Grant Area | Total Grant Allocation (£) | Ringfenced Construction Element (included in total allocation) (£) |
|---|---|---|
| Central Bedfordshire | 1,500,000.00 | 400,000.00 |
| Brighton and Hove | 1,500,000.00 | 400,000.00 |
| Buckinghamshire | 1,500,000.00 | 400,000.00 |
| Cheshire and Warrington | 2,000,000.00 | 500,000.00 |
| Cornwall | 1,500,000.00 | 400,000.00 |
| Cumberland Council (Cumbria) | 1,500,000.00 | 400,000.00 |
| Devon | 3,300,000.00 | 800,000.00 |
| East Sussex | 1,500,000.00 | 400,000.00 |
| Essex | 1,600,000.00 | 400,000.00 |
| Gloucestershire | 1,500,000.00 | 400,000.00 |
| Hampshire | 2,600,000.00 | 600,000.00 |
| Hertfordshire | 1,900,000.00 | 500,000.00 |
| Kent | 1,500,000.00 | 400,000.00 |
| Lancashire | 3,200,000.00 | 800,000.00 |
| Leicestershire | 1,500,000.00 | 400,000.00 |
| West Northamptonshire | 1,500,000.00 | 400,000.00 |
| Oxfordshire | 1,500,000.00 | 400,000.00 |
| Portsmouth City Council (Solent) | 1,500,000.00 | 400,000.00 |
| Somerset | 1,500,000.00 | 400,000.00 |
| Staffordshire | 1,500,000.00 | 400,000.00 |
| Suffolk | 1,500,000.00 | 400,000.00 |
| Surrey | 1,500,000.00 | 400,000.00 |
| Wiltshire and Swindon | 1,500,000.00 | 400,000.00 |
| Thames Valley and Berkshire | 1,800,000.00 | 400,000.00 |
| Warwickshire | 1,500,000.00 | 400,000.00 |
| West Sussex | 1,500,000.00 | 400,000.00 |
| Worcestershire | 1,500,000.00 | 400,000.00 |
| Totals | 46,400,000.00 | 12,000,000.00 |
The following caveats apply:
1. This does not include funds transferred to Greater London Authority, West Midlands, Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and North East Combined Authorities as part of their integrated settlement for the 2026 to 2027 financial year, Integrated Settlement funds for 2026 to 2030 - GOV.UK.
2. It also does not include funds allocated to the following Combined Authorities: Cambridge and Peterborough, East Midlands County, Greater Lincolnshire County, Hull and East Yorkshire, Tees Valley, West of England and York and North Yorkshire as part of their single adult skills funding allocation, Adult skills fund: devolved grant determination letters 2026 - GOV.UK.
3. The total grant allocated represents the maximum amount allocated to each area.