Correspondence

ESFA Update local authorities: 13 September 2023

Published 13 September 2023

Applies to England

© Crown copyright 2023

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/esfa-update-13-september-2023/esfa-update-local-authorities-13-september-2023

1. Information: revised statements available for 2023 to 2024 16 to 19 revenue funding allocations

On 13 July 2023 we announced a further investment of £185 million in 2023 to 2024 financial year and £285 million in 2024 to 2025 financial year to drive forward skills delivery in the further education sector.

This funding will help colleges and other 16 to 19 providers to address key priorities as they see fit, including tackling recruitment and retention issues in high-value technical, vocational, and academic provision which are of critical importance to our economic growth and prosperity.

We explained the changes we’ve made to 16 to 19 allocations and updated the supporting guidance. We’ve uploaded revised 16 to 19 allocation statement for academic year 2023 to Document Exchange.

If you have any questions after reviewing your statement and guidance, please contact us using our online enquiry form.

2. Information: the technical funding guide for ESFA ILR funded Skills Bootcamps has been published

We have published an updated technical funding guide for ESFA-funded Skills bootcamps for learning starts from 1 August 2023.

This guidance covers:

  • the different components that make up the funding for skills bootcamps funded by the ESFA through the ILR
  • co-funding and how it works
  • how we use the ILR to calculate funding

Additionally, this guidance now contains information about how we calculate funding for new contracts starting in the 2023 to 2024 funding year.

For further information please contact us via the help centre.

3. Information: Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) expiry dates

From 1 January 2025 the Home Office are planning to move to a full online system where individuals can prove their immigration status online rather than presenting a physical BRP. Further information can be found at view and prove your immigration status. Because of this planned change, BRPs are being issued with an expiry date of no later than December 2024.

If an individual presents their BRP, this may not reflect the actual expiry date of their leave to remain status so please ask for further documentation if necessary.

Individuals with limited leave should have received a letter from the Home Office confirming when their leave expires and telling them that their BRP may expire earlier. This letter can be used as proof of visa status and expiry date. Individuals who are registered with the website will have a share code which the provider can use to confirm their residency status and expiry date.

We have amended the ‘Individuals with certain types of immigration status and their family members’ section of the ESFA AEB funding rules to reflect this information.

4. Information: School Business Professional (SBP) roundtable events – book your place now

If you would like to join other SBPs from across your region to network, share your procurement issues and priorities, and find out more about the free procurement support available from the DfE, you can register to attend one of the upcoming roundtable events.

The roundtables are free to attend, and locations have now been confirmed for the autumn term.

Register now and don’t miss out.

5. Information: join these webinars on approved frameworks and see how you could save money for your school

The Schools Commercial Team is hosting free webinars on how using the approved frameworks could save you time and help your school get value for money.

September webinars are listed below. Click on the links to find out more and book your place:

You can find the full programme of webinars for the autumn term on the Autumn 2023 webinar page. Visit the page to find out more and book your place.

6. Information: book a 1:1 chat to discuss your school’s buying needs – spaces available on Thursday 21 September

The Schools Commercial Team is offering the opportunity for a free, virtual 1:1 conversation with a member of the team on Thursday 21 September to see how they can support you.

You can speak to them about anything you like to help you make informed buying choices for your school. There is no pressure or obligation to take any of the recommendations forward following the conversation.

Book a conversation now.

7. Information: RPA Members only: Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) – Workshop

Willis Towers Watson is providing risk management support for all RPA members through audit, guidance and advice. As part of the risk management support, RPA members are invited to a workshop covering:

  • the background and historical use of RAAC in school premises and its risks
  • identification, assessment, and management strategies to reduce risk to an acceptable level

Place will be allocated on a first come first served basis:

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