Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to paragraph 4.10 of the Autumn Budget 2024, for what reason the launch date of the Lifelong Learning Entitlement has been revised.

The government is committed to delivering the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE), expanding access to high quality, flexible education and training for adults throughout their working lives, helping businesses to fill skills gaps and kickstart economic growth.

The LLE will now launch in the 2026/27 academic year for learners studying courses starting on or after 1 January 2027, including full courses, modules and Higher Technical Qualifications.

This is in order to:

• Improve the impact and effectiveness of the LLE by ensuring that policy and design fully align with this government’s ambitious vision for the future of our skills landscape.
• Refine the department’s delivery and implementation plans through collaboration with Skills England to help support this government’s industrial strategy.
• Give education providers the necessary time to prepare for the launch of this new and transformational student-finance system.