Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what funding his Department makes available to sixth forms and colleges in the first twelve months after a merger.

The Education and Skills Funding Agency provides combined funding allocations for the merged institution based on the allocations that would have been made to the individual merging institutions

If there are special circumstances, such as the terms of a merger changing the nature of the student body, the merged college can submit a business case to adjust funding allocations accordingly, which will be considered on its merits

In certain circumstances, the government's Restructuring Facility may be available. Further Education or Sixth Form Colleges in England, impacted by a substantive Area Review recommendation, including merger, and who are unable to fund the change themselves, can seek funding from this.

The Restructuring Facility is available to support eligible expenditure up to March 2019, with the last date for applications in September 2018.