Devolution of the Adult Education Budget (AEB)

Updated January 2024

From the 1st August 2019 the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) is no longer accountable for the totality of the Adult Education Budget (AEB). Mayoral Combined Authorities (MCAs) and the Greater London Authority (GLA) have responsibility for funding adult education in their local areas, giving greater powers to local areas.

These changes were originally outlined in the Adult Education Budget: changing context and the arrangements for 2016 to 2017 and the Industrial Strategy: building a Britain fit for the future.

The government policy on the devolved adult education budget can be accessed here.

The devolved areas have their own Funding and Performance Management rules, which can be accessed via each combined authority’s AEB webpage:

This means that the ESFA is no longer accountable for administering AEB in these areas.

The low wage threshold was introduced to encourage career progression for low paid adult workers. This enabled employed learners who were on low wages to be eligible for full funding for qualifications up to and including level 2.

For 2023-24 the low-wage threshold ranges from £20,319 up to £31,600.40 for Liverpool City region residents. Self-employed learners are also eligible. Low wage threshold vary in devolved regions; always check the relevant funding rules.

One example of this is ESOL where the low wage threshold for employed learners will enable those whose first language is not English to access ESOL qualifications to provide the language skills that they need for career progression.

Devolution of the Adult Education Budget (AEB)

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority

Greater London Authority

Greater Manchester Combined Authority

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority

North of Tyne Combined Authority

Sheffield City Region

Tees Valley Combined Authority

West Midlands Combined Authority

West of England Combined Authority

West Yorkshire Combined Authority