Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to include specialist post-16 colleges in future FE capital funding schemes.

The further education (FE) Condition Data Collection and Condition Data Collection covers the statutory FE sector, namely FE corporations and sixth form college corporations. Specialist post-16 institutions (SPIs) are not part of the statutory FE sector and therefore are not covered by Condition Data Collection surveys.

The department allocates condition funding to SPIs with ESFA-funded students to support them in keeping their buildings safe and well-maintained. In 2023/24, eligible SPIs were allocated £4,685,201 in school condition allocations (SCA) to invest in the condition of their buildings, and £831,874 in devolved formula capital for smaller capital projects.

To receive SCA, an SPI must be in receipt of revenue funding from ESFA for the relevant financial year. SPIs can choose how they spend their school condition allocations on improving and maintaining the condition of their buildings.

In 2022 to 2023, eligible schools and sixth-form colleges received an allocation from an additional £447 million of capital funding to improve buildings and facilities, prioritising energy efficiency. This was part of an additional £500 million of capital funding for schools and further education institutions in England. This funding was for institutions, including SPIs, that were eligible for devolved formula capital in 2022 to 2023.

The Spending Review 2021 announced a £2.8 billion capital investment in skills to improve the condition of post-16 estate, provide new places in post-16 education, provide specialist equipment and facilities for T Levels and deliver the commitment to 21 Institutes of Technology across England. Future FE capital funding is subject to the next Spending Review. The department keeps the capital needs of all post-16 education providers under review.