Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)

We are always grateful for the noble Lord’s insight into these areas, but we know that FE colleges are incredibly inclusive. We must, as I think the noble Lord is suggesting, look out for good practice and make sure that, where we see it, it is replicated and becomes the norm. That is the exact point: we have patchy provision. We want to make sure that, wherever young people go to study, there is a good standard right across the piece. We also want to make sure that the transition between different stages is smoother and information exchange between the different settings much more user-friendly. We collect data, but I do not think we use it effectively enough to assist teachers in making sure that their students get off to the flying start they need. In her comments on pay, the noble Baroness, Lady Garden of Frognal, in fairness, highlights an important area. The latest data show that the average salary for FE college teachers increased by 6.1% in 2023-24, compared to 2022-23, but the Association of Colleges and the Sixth Form Colleges Association recommended a 4% increase for FE teachers in 2025-26. Actual pay awards are decided in colleges in line with local circumstances. In May 2025, the department announced a further investment of £190 million for colleges and other 16-to-19 providers, in addition to the £400 million of extra funding that we are planning to spend on 16-to-19 education. A significant amount of funding is going in and we want to make sure that these issues are addressed. On the Ofsted comments, mentioned by the noble Earl, Lord Effingham, the Secretary of State recently wrote to the chief inspector confirming that funding will be made available in the year 2026-27, to ensure that Ofsted can have an impact in the first year of the new four-year inspection cycles. Future funding will, of course, be subject to fiscal events. I have tried to gather information from, and respond to the information given in, the comments made and the questions asked. I hope noble Lords will feel reassured that every aspect has been addressed with extreme seriousness, recognising just how important the FE sector is and how important it is for learners to feel supported in every setting, responding particularly to their needs. The proposed measures enjoy wide support from across the FE and teacher training sectors and have been developed in close collaboration with leading experts and representatives from those sectors. I commend the regulations to the Committee.