ESFA Update local authorities: 26 June 2019
Published 26 June 2019
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2019
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/esfa-update-26-june-2019/esfa-update-local-authorities-26-june-2019
1. Information: local authority phishing alert
We are aware of an increase in reports of cyber-attacks against education providers, which indicates a concerted and targeted attack on educational institutions. These attacks have resulted in financial losses to those that fall victim.
Recent intelligence suggests a sophisticated phishing technique has been used to gain entry to education providers’ email systems.
The technique uses the title of a genuine email that the user has recently replied to in order to trick them into believing it is authentic. The email contains a link which, when clicked, takes user to a website, but in the process requests user credentials. The fraudster uses these credentials to send out harmful emails from the user’s account. On mobile devices, the email sometimes appears with a coloured button saying ‘Display Message’.
The fraudster then requests a bank account often using multiple official email addresses to help create the illusion of legitimacy. Potentially, if undiscovered, a payment may be made to the fraudulent account, the account emptied and a new victim targeted.
You should:
- ensure that you have robust processes in place to protect your organisation, such as firewalls, antivirus software and strong passwords
- be alert to emails containing seemingly legitimate or secure links
- check the sender of an email is genuine before, for example, sending passwords, data or payment
2. Information: updated high needs operational guide
We have updated the high needs operational guide for 2019 to 2020 as follows:
- links to the dedicated schools grant: 2019 to 2020 and finance regulations
- ‘changes to 2019 to 2020’ section, to reflect the latest position on hospital education funding and post-16 changes
- ‘import and export adjustment’ section, this also includes advice on the process for querying data
- ‘top-up funding’ section to provide improved clarity on the position relating to contracting arrangements
3. Information: pupil premium allocations for 2019 to 2020
We have published pupil premium allocations for the 2019 to 2020 financial year.
4. Information: universal infant free school meals (UIFSM) allocations and conditions of grant
We have published universal infant free school meals (UIFSM) conditions of grant, and provisional allocations, for the 2019 to 2020 academic year.
We have also published final UIFSM allocations for the 2018 to 2019 academic year.
5. Information: update to guidance on the teachers’ pension employer contribution grant
The Department for Education (DfE) has updated the teachers’ pension employer contribution grant methodology, published in April this year, to provide further detail on the calculation of the grant.
We will publish the school level allocations for mainstream schools, and the local authority level allocations for high needs for the grant in October 2019. Alongside this, we will also explain how to apply for the supplementary fund.
We will make grant payments covering September 2019 through to March 2020 to local authorities at the end of October 2019, and to academies in early November 2019.
6. Information: Education and Skills grants and contracts for 2019 to 2020
In July, we will issue the new Education and Skills agreements for the 2019 to 2020 funding year. Please take the time to look at the new framework and supporting information.
The agreements bring these areas together into a single document to provide a consistent framework for managing our legal relationships with providers for:.
- adult education budget
- 16 to 19 education
- 16 to 18 traineeships
- apprenticeships carry-in and
- Advanced Learner Loans
7. Information: save up to 15% on your gas and electricity bill
Are you looking to renew your energy contracts in October 2019?
Our School Switch deal is already delivering average savings of 15% for schools that switched from January to May 2019.
Our simple system gives you a number of easy-to-use benefits including:
• filter and sort options based on individual school preferences • a streamlined procurement process • transparent and fixed pricing that can be accessed in an instant • a fully compliant procedure • a dedicated helpdesk to answer any questions you may have
You can read more information about the School Switch deal on GOV.UK.