SCTP has been in discussion with the ESFA regarding the DfE response to the COVID-19 outbreak. They have confirmed that:
• They are working on an urgent package of financial mitigations for providers.
• Because of the activity-based funding model for apprenticeships, they are urgently looking at how they can mitigate the loss of income arising from current disruption.
• For other funding streams, they will be making decisions on where the existing rules may need to be modified when reconciliation processes are applied.
• They recognise that colleges and other providers may incur additional costs as a result of responding to COVID-19, including on the back of recent announcements, for example where colleges open over the Easter holidays. They are looking to put in place a process for providing re-imbursement for those costs.
More details will follow as and when we have them – a full policy announcement is expected early this week.
