Plans to devolve further education funding to councils are in the very early stages, according to the Local Government Association. If the move goes ahead, funding currently distributed by the Learning and Skills Council for 16 to 19-year-olds' education will be channelled directly through local authorities. This will give them entire responsibility for funding the provision for all 14 to 19-year-olds. ‘I hope this decision to direct funding for 16 to 19 education through local councils will be strongly welcomed,' said new local government minister,John Healey. ‘It demonstrates our continuing commitment to local devolution, and builds on the radical changes in our local government White Paper. ‘This change offers councils a further vote of confidence in their abilities, expanding their reach to further education and reinforcing their capacity to develop the full range of provision for 14 to 19-year-olds.' An LGA policy officer told LocalGov.co.uk: ‘It is very early days. There needs to be a lot of discussion around this, particularly with the Department for Children, Schools and Families. ‘In general, we welcome the devolution of funding to councils. We would, however, hope this money is not ring-fenced.'
