Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent discussions he has had with Ofqual on preparations for the new functional skills qualifications for September 2019; and if he will make a statement.

The department has been working closely with Ofqual to prepare for first teaching of the reformed functional skills qualifications in English and maths from September 2019.

As part of this, Ofqual have introduced a robust technical evaluation process through which all new functional skills qualifications need to go before being made available. This is to ensure, before delivery, that the reformed qualifications are of high quality and support consistent assessment and awarding.

To support providers, Ofqual have published information online outlining how far different awarding organisations have progressed in the technical evaluation. They have also communicated about the reforms with providers more generally both online and directly.

This department has also commissioned the Education Training Foundation to support providers to be ready for the new qualifications with a range of communication events, training opportunities and resources. The first qualifications have now been approved. We will continue to work closely with Ofqual on preparing for these new qualifications taking account of the impact and implications for providers.