Government white paper on post-16 education in England, introduces new V Level qualificaitions

A new white paper on post-16 education in England aims to ensure disadvantaged students are not priced out of university by rising costs.

The Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has announced that maintenance loans for university students will automatically increase each year, with the largest rises for those from the lowest income households. Targeted maintenance grants will also be reintroduced.

The announcement follows recent data that showed the gap in university entrance rates between disadvantaged students and their peers had grown to its widest since records began in 2005.

Tuition fees will rise in line with forecast inflation for the next two years, in a bid to support universities, with plans to introduce new legislation that automatically increases as well as fee caps in future years.

“Young people from all backgrounds feel they have been let down by a system that talks about opportunity but too often fails to deliver it. This government and this white paper will change that – restoring the prestige of higher and further education so every person, in every part of our country, has the chance to get on,” Phillipson says. 

“Universities charge significant fees for their courses. If they are going to charge the maximum, it is right that they deliver the world-class education students expect. These reforms will ensure value for money, higher standards across our universities and colleges and a renewed focus on the skills our economy needs.”

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer previously announced a new target that two-thirds of young people will participate in higher-level learning - including academic, technical and and apprenticeship courses.

V Levels

The Government has also shared plans to introduce V Levels, a new vocational qualification that will replace other qualifications and sit alongside T Levels and A Levels.

T Levels will provide an alternative qualification for those looking to explore engineering, agriculture, digital or creative subjects before choosing which area to specialize in. Students will be able to take a mixture of V Levels and A Levels at the same time. 

The Government also plans to launch a new qualification aimed at students looking to resit GCSE English and Maths, helping to better prepare them for the tests and ending the need for repeated resits. 

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