Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Sixth-form Colleges: Pay Award

Monday 27 January 2025 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Sixth-form colleges play a vital role in developing young people's education and ambitions.
  • A one-off 50 million grant has been provided to enable colleges to address current priorities and challenges.
  • Industrial action has occurred due to the decision not to fund the pay award for stand-alone sixth-form colleges.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sarah Owen Lab Luton North
Education
Context

The MP expressed concern over the funding shortfall left by the previous Conservative government affecting teaching staff and students in sixth-form colleges.

Question

I declare an interest, because my husband works at Luton sixth-form college, although this question does not affect him. I am proud to have Luton sixth-form college and Barnfield college in my constituency—places where young people develop not only their education but their ambitions. Excellent sixth forms stay that way only by attracting and retaining the best staff. However, with the funding shortfall left by the last Tory Government, I am concerned that it is our younger generations who will feel the loss. Will the Minister outline how sixth-form colleges can use their funds to deliver the deserved 5.5% pay rise for teaching staff?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Janet Daby)

I recognise the vital role that sixth-form colleges play, including Luton sixth-form college, and I agree that high-quality staff are what helps to make them great, as well as our amazing students. That is why we announced an additional £300 million for further education in the Budget, and it is why we are releasing £50 million of that funding in this academic year, so that colleges can respond to priorities, including workforce recruitment and retention, and use those funds as they see fit.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide specific details on how sixth-form colleges should allocate the £50 million to ensure a 5.5% pay rise for teaching staff.

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Q2 Max Wilkinson Lib Dem Cheltenham
Education
Context

The MP highlighted the financial difficulties faced by Balcarras school in his constituency due to underfunding over the past 15 years, warning that the sector is now at breaking point.

Question

Balcarras school in my constituency has calculated that if its funding for its sixth form had increased by just 2% over the past 15 years, it would now have more than £650,000 extra to keep its school running. The head warns me that the sector is now at breaking point. Do Ministers recognise what is going on in the sector after the years of underfunding we have had?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Janet Daby)

I reiterate that the one-off £50 million grant will enable colleges to respond to current priorities and challenges as they see fit, including workforce recruitment and retention. It is up to those colleges and sixth forms to choose how to use that funding to best meet learners’ needs.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not directly acknowledge the warnings from Balcarras school about the breaking point in the sector due to underfunding.

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Q3 Neil O’Brien Con Harborough, Oadby and Wigston
Education Employment
Context

The MP noted that the government funded the pay award for schools but not for stand-alone sixth-form colleges, leading to industrial action and threats of judicial review.

Question

The hon. Member for Luton North (Sarah Owen) has asked a very important question. The Government funded the pay award for schools and acadised sixth-form colleges but, unlike last year, not for stand-alone sixth-form colleges. That decision has already led to seven days of industrial action. After threats of judicial review, the Department for Education offered some additional funding, but only £7 million of the £19 million that is needed. That funding gap has led to a pay gap, and as a result the National Education Union has more strikes planned and the NASUWT is also balloting. What is the Government’s plan to end the dispute and end the damage that is being done to those students?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Janet Daby)

The hon. Member will know that industrial relations are a matter for sixth-form colleges themselves, in co-ordination with the sector-led national bargaining arrangement through the national joint council. We encourage open and constructive dialogue by all parties in the best interests of staff and students during this critical transition period.

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide any specific plans or actions to resolve the dispute or mitigate its impact on students.

How: Industrial Relations Are A Matter For Sixth-Form Colleges Themselves

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