Commenting on today’s Spending Review, Jude Hillary, NFER’s Head of Policy and Practice, said:
“Recognising the challenging fiscal backdrop, NFER welcomes the announcement that per-pupil funding in real terms is set to increase by 1.1 per cent per year over the next three years.
“Despite the welcome announcement of additional funding for schools, schools’ budgets are likely to remain under strain in the context of meeting increases in staffing costs and accommodating the impact of falling pupil numbers on their settings.
“We also welcome the £1.2 billion investment per year by 2028/29 in training and apprenticeships. This funding is a positive step toward equipping young people with the skills they need to thrive in the workforce of the future.
“High-quality technical education and training can open up life-changing opportunities – tackling skills shortages, supporting social mobility and helping to drive economic growth. NFER’s Skills Imperative 2035 programme highlights the importance of building the essential employment skills that will be in greatest demand over the next decade.
“Targeted investment in training and apprenticeships can play a vital role in developing those skills, and we look forward to seeing how the Government's post-16 education and skills strategy can contribute to this.”