Department for Education announces pause and review of post-16 qualification reforms in England

The defunding of qualifications that overlap with T Levels has been paused.

24 July 2024

The Secretary of State for Education Bridget Phillipson announced on 24 July that there will be a short pause and review of the planned reforms in England to level 3 and below post-16 qualifications. 

To provide time and space for the review to be completed, it has been confirmed that the intended removal of 16 to 19 funding for a number of qualifications that overlap with T Levels in construction and the built environment, digital, education and early years and health and science will be paused. 

Following the announcement, City & Guilds CEO Kirstie Donnelly commented: 

“Thank you SoS – the pause on reforms to post-16 qualifications demonstrates that the government has been listening to our calls along with the sector. With the review now set to conclude before the end of the year, the next months are critical to ensuring we get skills right for the future. However, the point is this time we have to get it right! 

High quality education and skills change lives - we want to see a skills system that can deliver for all and to greater impact. Particularly looking at the right outcomes from any qualifications reform and how the current delivery design challenges of T Levels can be addressed moving forward, in parallel to broader quals and curriculum reform. 

These outcomes should aim to enhance and build upon existing systems to better serve learners and industry. Skills can be at the centre of solutions to the country’s challenges, and it is vital that the government and industry collaborate to ensure success. 

This pause is one step in the right direction, and we are keen to see how skills planning will be directed to deliver against the wider policy agenda this Government has started to set out.” 

We will provide further updates and guidance relating to City & Guilds qualifications impacted by this decision soon.