Adult education budget (AEB) devolution

On 1 August 2019, the adult education budget (#AEB) was apportioned between the @ESFAgov and initially 6 mayoral combined authorities (MCA’s) and the Greater London Authority (GLA).

As part of the devolution deals, certain adult education functions, in the Apprenticeships Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 which are funded by the AEB, were transferred from the Secretary of State for Education to the devolved MCAs in relation to their respective areas by Legislative Orders. These functions have been delegated to the Mayor of London in respect of the GLA.

Further information on the devolution of the adult education budget can be found in the AEB devolution operational guidance page and the Background to AEB devolution guidance page.

These are the local authorities delivering devolved AEB

The following devolved areas became responsible for administering the AEB from 1 August 2019

• Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
• Greater Manchester
• Greater London
• Liverpool City Region
• Tees Valley
• West of England
• West Midlands

North of Tyne became responsible for administering the AEB from 1 August 2020

• North of Tyne

Sheffield City Region and West Yorkshire (subject to legislation being in place) will become responsible for administering the AEB from 1 August 2021

• Sheffield City Region
• West Yorkshire

Providers who wish to deliver to learners residing in areas where the AEB funding support is devolved will need to discuss funding arrangements directly with the relevant authority.

Related documents

The following guidance remains in place for ESFA funded AEB:

• 19+ funding allocations
• AEB funding rules for 2020 to 2021
• AEB Legal Entitlements and Eligibility
• AEB funding rates and formula 2020 to 2021
• ILR technical documents, guidance and requirements
• ESFA Education and Skills agreements 2020 to 2021
• College oversight support and intervention regime
• Oversight of Independent Training Providers
• AEB Postcode Dataset
• Memoranda of understanding between DfE, mayoral combined authorities and the Mayor of London
• Financial Assurance: Monitoring the funding rules for post-16 funding

Further information on AEB devolution

AEB devolution operational guidance

Published 7 November 2018
Last updated 28 October 2020 + show all updates

1. 28 October 2020

   Content replaced with AEB Devolution summary and guidance signposting sections. Previous content moved to a new AEB Devolution guidance collection page.

2. 15 August 2019

   We have updated the “Further advice for providers” section, to include information on the data sharing agreement and to add additional information on submitting learner data post-devolution.

3. 13 August 2019

   From 1 August 2019, the adult education budget (AEB) is apportioned between the ESFA and six mayoral combined authorities (MCA’s) and the Greater London Authority (GLA). We have updated this guide to reflect this.

4. 27 March 2019

   The guide has been updated to reflect the publishing of the grant determination letters on 27 March 2019. These changes have been made within the ‘Devolved authorities’ AEB’ section.

5. 13 February 2019

   The Adult Education Budget devolution guide has been updated.

6. 11 December 2018

   We have updated the information on the timetable.

7. 7 November 2018

   First published.