Full report (pdf - 326KB) - National Audit Office

Reducing bureaucracy in further education in England Part Two 19
Part Two
Understanding the problem
High-level framework for reducing bureaucracy
Understanding the problem Developing a solution Implementing it effectively
Measuring the
cost and benefit
that control
and assurance
creates
Understanding
provider needs
Identify the
end state
Clear
programme
of actions to
achieve it
Governance
and leadership
Clear
communications
to the sector
2.1 Simplifying funding, qualification and assurance systems in further education
sustainably requires a strategy based on a thorough understanding of the problem.
This part of the report looks specifically at:
• how the Department develops its understanding;
• the effort required by further education colleges to comply with funding,
qualification and assurance systems; and
• the cost of complying with funding, qualification and assurance systems
in further education.
2.2 The Department is responsible for assessing what systems and information it puts
in place to deliver upon its responsibilities for safeguarding public money and managing
its business. We therefore do not in this report reproduce such an assessment. The
relevant bodies need to evaluate the benefit they received compared to the costs
incurred in order to balance what is necessary for the system.
How the Department seeks to understand the administration
of funding, qualification and assurance systems by further
education providers
2.3 The Department and the Agency are working to create an environment where
learners have choice and diversity in further education and where colleges are free
to determine the courses they offer, in line with the needs of their communities. This
requires reducing the amount of central control and direction.