188体育

1. Information: subcontracting standard deadline extension

This year we introduced the subcontracting standard, which sets out the framework for providers to subcontract provision and replaced the audit certificate that was previously required. The aim of introducing the standard was to improve the quality of management and oversight by lead providers of subcontracted provision.

Where a provider subcontracts 拢100k or more of apprenticeship, adult education budget (AEB, European Social Fund (ESF) or 16 to 19 funding combined, the provider must engage the services of a reporting accountant to obtain a report which gives assurance on the provider鈥檚 compliance with the subcontracting standard. This report had to be submitted to the ESFA by 31 July 2023.

We鈥檝e had a number of providers enquire about getting an extension to this deadline. As this is the first year, we have introduced the standard and providers are adjusting to this new requirement, we have decided to extend the deadline to 31 August .

If you have not already done so, please can you make sure you submit your report by this deadline. If you have any questions, please contact your ESFA territorial lead as a first point of call. Further details on the subcontracting standard can be found on 188体育

We will aim to let providers know if they have achieved the standard by the end of November.

We would also like to remind providers to submit their updated subcontracting declarations as soon as possible, if they have not already done so.

Further information about subcontracting declarations can be found on 188体育.

2. Information: special free schools adjustment, a guide for local authorities

We have now published the special free schools adjustment; a guide for local authorities.

The special free schools adjustment guide provides:

• clarification of the local authority dedicated schools grant (DSG) 鈥榓t capacity鈥� criteria definition for new and growing special free schools

• an updated list of special free schools identified as having completed their initial period of growth

If you have any queries, please contact us via our .

3. Information: free meals in FE guide, update to the 2023 to 2024 academic year guide

We鈥檝e updated our guidance on free meals in FE because the funding rate per meal has increased from the start of the 2023 to 2024 academic year.

We will now pay eligible institutions funding at a rate equivalent to 拢2.53 per student per meal, which represents an increase to the previous rate of 拢2.41 per student per meal.

Our guidance explains how we will deliver the increase in funding allocations.鈥� As always, it鈥檚 important that all institutions contact us to return their allocation if they do not have eligible students during 2023 to 2024 academic year.