AoC calls for increase education and training funding to 5% of GDP

The Chancellor Philip Hammond will announce the conclusions of the Autumn Statement on 23 November and his decisions will be crucial for the future of colleges.

The Association of Colleges (AoC) has put forward a number of recommendations to the Government in its Autumn Statement submission which can be viewed in full here: www.aoc.co.uk/autumnstatement. The top 10 recommendations are:

1. Spending on education and training should increase to 5% of GDP
2. DfE should review the English and maths condition of funding and introduce new qualifications in these subjects
3. On the day that the UK leaves the EU, VAT should be removed from all publicly funded education for 16 to 18-year-olds
4. DfE should carry out some targeted reviews of post-16 provision in schools
5. Money from the apprenticeship levy should be used to promote access to apprenticeships and help raise quality
6. Barriers for young people to participate in education and training should be removed, such as transport costs and child benefit rules
7. The current student loan system should be converted into a personal learning account system
8. Funding for educating 16 and 17-year-olds should be increased so that it provides the necessary funds for high-quality education
9. The number of maths teachers should double by 2030
10. The recommendations of the Sainsbury Review should be fully implemented and funded.