FE funding agencies to merge

Commenting on the announcement of the merger between the Education Funding Agency and Skills Funding Agency, David Hughes, Chief Executive of the Association of Colleges, said: “Merging the EFA and SFA provides the perfect opportunity to simplify the system and make it more efficient and cost-effective. “The reality is though that the two agencies have been operating as a shared service for two years so we don't expect colleges to see much difference. “We are keen to work with DfE and the newly-merged organisation to address some of the overlaps, inconsistencies and differences between regulations, rules and policies which have grown up across the old EFA - SFA divide. Streamlining some of the rules will help students, some will save money.” Commenting on the retirement of Peter Lauener, Chief Executive of EFA and SFA, David Hughes said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Peter Lauener for his work at EFA and SFA. He has always been a true champion for further education and has worked hard to put students and apprentices at the heart of Government policy and funding. He will be a hard act to follow."