Correspondence

ESFA Update local authorities: 26 July 2023

Published 26 July 2023

Applies to England

© Crown copyright 2023

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/esfa-update-26-july-2023/esfa-update-local-authorities-26-july-2023

1. Information: dedicated schools grant (DSG) updated allocations for 2022 to 2024 and 2023 to 2024

We have updated the 2022 to 2023 DSG funding allocations to reflect the final early years block position and added a new pupil number tool.

We have also updated the 2023 to 2024 DSG funding allocations to reflect in-year recoupment, high needs deductions and early years block update. We have also added a new pupil number tool following the update to the early years block.

2. Information: early years funding consultation

Following the 2023 Spring Budget announcement to expand the free early education entitlements from April 2024, on 21 July, DfE published a consultation on the proposed approach to funding for 2-year-olds and under from 2024 to 2025.

The consultation closes at 11:59pm on 8 September 2023.

With the introduction of the new entitlements for working parents of children aged 9 months to 2 years, it is important that the funding system in place supports the delivery of these entitlements and ensures that we are continuing to distribute funding fairly and efficiently to local authorities.

The consultation also sets out proposals for the local funding framework within which local authorities will be expected to pass the money on to early years providers.

The consultation and illustrative local authority hourly rates for the entitlements for 2-year-olds and under for 2024 to 2025 are available at early years funding – extension of the entitlements.

3. Information: further changes to 16 to 19 funding for 2023 to 2024

Following the announcement of additional funding for further education we have made changes to a number of 16 to 19 funding rates and policies.

We have increased the national funding rate, programme cost weights, disadvantage block 2 rates and the care leavers rate. We wrote to institutions significantly impacted by the baseline change to the Advanced Maths Premium in April, and we have clarified funding relating to wave 4 T Levels.

Guidance with changes include:

If you have any questions after reading our guidance, please contact us using our online enquiry form.

4. Information: Transforming Public Procurement (TPP) consultation part 2 now live

The Transforming Public Procurement (TPP) programme will replace the current Public Contract Regulations 2015, aiming to improve how public procurement is regulated, and will introduce changes to the way public sector organisations buy goods and services.

All the information schools and MATs need can be found on GOV.UK, including guidance documents to help with planning and preparation, recent webinars, details of the learning and development package available and details of the current Cabinet Office consultation on TPP which closes on 25 August. We encourage you to take the opportunity to submit a response on behalf of your school/ MAT.

We would encourage anyone in a procurement or purchasing role to sign up to the regular TPP updates using this form to ensure you are up to date with all of the relevant information.

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