asked Her Majesty’s Government:

What safeguards will be put in place to protect 16-to-19 funding for further education colleges when channelled through local authorities, against competition from schools wishing to protect or expand small sixth forms. [HL4751]

Subject to consultation on the details and timing—to ensure that there is no disruption to schools, colleges and training providers and the introduction of new diplomas—and the need to pass the necessary legislation, funding for school sixth forms and sixth-form colleges and the contribution of FE colleges to the 14-to-19 phase will transfer from the Learning and Skills Council to local authorities’ ring-fenced education budgets. There will be an opportunity to consider the detail of this Question through this process.