UK Prime Minister Announces Education Reforms to Help Young People Thrive

Exciting news for students and families across the UK! The Prime Minister has just unveiled a major shake-up to the further and higher education system — all designed to better prepare young people for the jobs of the future.

These reforms aim to make education more inclusive, practical, and aligned with the skills employers are looking for. Here's what you need to know:

A Bold New Target for Learning Beyond School

One of the biggest announcements? A new national goal: by the age of 25, two-thirds of young people should be taking part in some form of higher-level learning. That includes university degrees, technical qualifications, or apprenticeships — a big jump from around 50% today.

There's also a focus on technical skills: by 2040, at least 10% of young people should be choosing higher technical courses or apprenticeships, nearly double the current numbers. It’s all about equipping the next generation with the tools they need to succeed in a changing economy.

Schools Helping Students Plan Their Future

To support these ambitions, schools will play a stronger role in making sure every student has a clear plan after age 16. OFSTED will help monitor this, and a "safety net" is being trialled to guarantee every student a place at a college or further education provider — helping no one fall through the cracks.

New Technical Colleges in High-Growth Sectors

The government is also investing in 14 new Technical Excellence Colleges across the country. These will specialise in fast-growing industries like clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and digital technology — adding to the 15 colleges already in the pipeline, including five focused on defence.

It’s all about giving students real-world, hands-on learning that leads to great careers.

Raising Standards and Supporting Teachers

Students who didn’t pass GCSE English or maths will now receive at least 100 hours of face-to-face teaching to help them catch up — backed by targeted funding and extra support.

And it’s not just students who’ll benefit — further education teachers will receive more structured professional development, from initial training right through to leadership roles.

Simplifying Funding and Expanding Opportunities

A new, simplified funding system is on the way for all Level 4-6 courses (think diplomas, foundation degrees, and more). These will now fall under the same rules, whether offered by a college or a university.

Plus, with the Lifelong Learning Entitlement, students will have equal access to finance for flexible learning — including short modular courses that match the skills employers are looking for.

More Funding, More Opportunities

To make all of this happen, the government is putting nearly £800 million extra into 16–19 education next year. That means room for around 20,000 more students to continue their studies and boost their future prospects.

And for families worried about costs, there’s more good news: targeted, means-tested maintenance grants are being reintroduced to help students from lower-income backgrounds access and succeed in higher education — whether that’s at university or college.

Looking Ahead

These changes are part of the government’s wider Plan for Change, aiming to build an education system that works for everyone — not just those taking the traditional academic route.

More details will be released soon in the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper, including updates on qualifications and curriculum reviews. But for now, it's clear: the future of education is becoming more flexible, more practical, and more accessible than ever before.

What does this mean for you?
If you're a student planning your next steps, a parent supporting your child’s journey, or an educator helping guide young people — these changes could open up new paths and exciting opportunities. Stay tuned, and we’ll keep you updated as the reforms roll out!