Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what consultation has been conducted with colleges and providers on her Department's proposals to withdraw funding for Access to Higher Education diplomas.

Access to higher education (HE) diplomas remain an important pathway to support adults to go into HE.

These qualifications are designed for those over 19 years old. We are not removing funding for students aged 19 or over, who remain funded through Advanced Learner Loans (ALLs). Students who take out an ALL for an Access to HE diploma will have the outstanding balance written off if they complete an eligible HE course, such as an undergraduate degree.

Following the completion of our post-16 pathways qualification reforms, students aged 16 to 19 will have a clear choice between A Levels, V Levels and T Levels at level 3. The department is working in close partnership with the sector to support the development and implementation of the reforms and will continue to engage widely with providers, representative bodies and employers to share learning, respond to feedback and refine delivery over time.