Correspondence

ESFA Update local authorities: 14 June 2023

Published 14 June 2023

Applies to England

1. Information: adult education budget allocations 2023 to 2024

We delivered ESFA adult education budget funding allocations for academic year 2023 to 2024 at the end of March. Some providers received an allocation lower than their 2022 to 2023 funding allocation. This is because their delivery was below 90% of their allocation over the past 2 funding years. We used the funding to increase allocations for providers who have overdelivered.

A small number of providers with lower funding allocations will have significantly increased their delivery in academic year 2022 to 2023. This could mean their delivery in 2022 to 2023 exceeds their allocation for academic year 2023 to 2024.

We will operate a review process for these providers in November 2023. We will publish the criteria for this process and further information in the next update of the AEB funding rules later in June. We can confirm now that this process will only apply to those providers who meet both points below:

• have a significantly reduced allocation in academic year 2023 to 2024 and
• can evidence significant increased delivery in their R14 data return for academic year 2022 to 2023

2. Information: Buying for Schools webinars – book your place now

Are you a school business professional who buys goods and services for your school?

We host regular webinars on how using our approved frameworks could help your school get value for money. Click on the links to find out more and book your place:

• Buying catering services for your school – 22 June
• Buying cleaning services for you school – 22 June
• Get help buying goods and services for your school – 29 June
• Buying education management systems – 29 June

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

3. Information: Join our Risk Protection Arrangement webinar – 22 June

This webinar will tell you everything you need to know about the DfE’s Risk Protection Arrangement (RPA), an alternative to commercial insurance which aims to protect schools against losses due to any unforeseen and unexpected events.

You will find out how to access the RPA, and it will also be an opportunity to ask any questions you may have.

Sign up here.

4. Information: book a 1:1 chat to discuss your school’s buying needs – spaces available 28 June

The Schools Commercial Team are offering the opportunity for a free, virtual 1:1 conversation with a member of the team to see how we can support you.

You can speak to us about anything you like to help you make informed buying choices for your school.

There is no pressure or obligation to take any of our recommendations forward following the conversation.

Book your 1:1 conversation now.

5. Information: MOVEit vulnerability

A recent vulnerability has been identified within the MOVEit application released by Progress Software. The vulnerability was discovered on the 31 May 2023, but it may have been exploited previous to this. We are currently aware of one UK company who has publicly stated they are affected Zellis. However, there may be more.

This is a significant vulnerability due to its remote unauthenticated exploitation vector, which allows a threat actor to install a web page only accessible to them and deploy a malware designed to capture credentials, including ones held for cloud services.

We urge all establishments to check to see if they are affected by this vulnerability as soon as possible. There is guidance available on the Progress Software website, and also from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).