I do not underestimate the important work undertaken by staff in further education and adult colleges. Further education is key to ensuring our workforce is equipped with the skills our economy needs, helping them towards secure and well paid employment. Adult education also brings many benefits, both educational and social.
But it makes sense for savings in these fields to be found by cutting low-value expenditure and I am glad that apprenticeships, which is one of the areas where this budget has the greatest impact, will be protected.
The majority of savings will be delivered through underspends and releasing unallocated funding. Officials are also working with the appropriate funding bodies to determine how other savings can be best achieved.
By Patrick McLoughlin on October 12, 2015