We have published new, tougher rules for providers and employers applying for and securing a place on the Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers (RoATP).

The strengthened approach will mean only ‎providers that meet the tougher registration requirements can access government funding. The‎ move follows a review of the RoATP, taking on board valuable feedback from provider representative bodies, providers and employers, and forms part of the Government’s continued commitment to improving the quality of apprenticeship training.

To secure a place on the RoATP, providers and employers must now prove they have actively traded for 12 months, are financially stable (evidenced by their financial information), skilled and are able to deliver quality apprenticeship training, before they apply, rather than when they begin delivery. The 3-month trading history requirement for supporting providers has been retained to enable new providers to build a delivery track record.

Acting on feedback from the sector, the register will open for applications on 12 December 2018 and will remain open throughout the year, with no closing date. This means providers can apply when they feel they are ready and can prove they have the appropriate capacity, capability and skills in place to meet the registers robust entry requirements. Two applications in a 12 month period will be allowed. ‎

ESFA is also considering the introduction of provider earnings limits and in the coming months, will be seeking views from the sector on these. The limits will ensure control, not just for quality reasons but the potential size and expansion of providers.

Anne Milton, Skills and Apprenticeship Minister said:

“Apprenticeships are giving people of all ages and background the chance to gain the skills they need to secure a good job and progress in their careers.

“It is vital that the training apprentices are receiving continues to be of the highest quality. Our new tougher approach builds on the robust checks already in place to provide even greater assurance that public money for apprenticeships is being used effectively .

“I would like to thank all those who took the time to respond to our review. Your feedback has been invaluable and has helped us to shape this new process.”

Eileen Milner, ESFA chief executive said:

“Thank you to all those that participated in our review of the Register of Apprenticeships Training Providers. We all share one thing in common – stamping out poor quality apprenticeship provision.

“Our new RoATP application process ensures that only those that can stand up to our tough quality assurance entry requirements can access government funds to deliver apprenticeship training. We are also being tougher on subcontractors entering the market, to ensure a focus on quality training and mitigate risk to government funds.”

Additionally, providers with an outstanding or good grade from Ofsted (no more than 3 years before applying) will be exempt from certain questions on the leadership and management of their delivery. This also applies to universities funded by the Office for Students.

The new register requirements:

• All organisations delivering apprenticeship training must be on the RoATP. By August 2019, it will be a funding rule requirement for all subcontractors delivering apprenticeship training to be listed on the RoATP including those delivering less than £100k a year as a subcontractor.
• Main providers and employer providers must directly deliver apprenticeship training. Employers and providers that only want to operate as a subcontractor will need to apply to become a supporting provider.
• Providers not currently listed on the RoATP and want to be an apprenticeship training provider may apply when the RoATP re-opens for applications from 12 December 2018.
• As the register is now open throughout the year, with no closing date, providers only need to apply at the point they are ready to deliver.
• All providers currently on the RoATP will have to go through the new process; we will invite them to re-apply in phases during 2019.
• Supporting providers (subcontractors) can only receive funding of up to a maximum of £500,000 per year, and this is limited to £100,000 in their first year if they have no recent history of apprenticeship delivery.

Further guidance information on the application process can be found here.

Business Secretary Greg Clark has appointed Kip Meek to the CMA Panel and subsequently the CMA has appointed him as an Inquiry Chair.

His role will include chairing groups of CMA panel members making decisions on Phase 2 merger inquiries, market investigations and regulatory appeals, as well as taking part in Case Decision Groups in Competition Act cases.

Panel members bring their experience of competition, economics, regulation, business, public policy and consumer law to the CMA’s decision-taking.

Kip will take up his role from Monday 26 November.

He brings with him a wealth of experience from the business world. Between 2003 and 2007, he was a board member of Ofcom where he held a variety of responsibilities, including chairing the European Regulators Group. Kip was a founder of Communications Chambers and until recently was a Senior Adviser for EE and BT.

Before joining Ofcom, he was founder and Managing Director of Spectrum Strategy Consultants (Spectrum). Spectrum provided strategy consulting services to telecoms and media companies, from offices in London, Singapore, Sydney and Rio de Janeiro.

Kip has recently been appointed a non-executive director of the Wireless Infrastructure Group, and was previously the Chairman of the Radiocentre and of South West Screen (which he amalgamated with Creative England in January 2012). He was appointed ‘Independent Spectrum Broker’ by the UK government in February 2009.

Kip Meek has been appointed following a recruitment process run by BEIS in accordance with the requirements set down in the Commissioner for Public Appointment’s Code of Practice.

Charity regulators consult on improving the SORP making process

A consultation is being launched today to seek views on how best to reform the process for developing the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP), and to make recommendations for any necessary changes to ensure the SORP remains fit for the future.

This follows the recent expansion of the SORP-making body that sets the framework for charity financial reporting to incorporate the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland with the Charities Regulatory Authority for the Republic of Ireland as observer.

The SORP-making body welcomes feedback to explore changes to the way the Charities SORP is developed, to ensure it continues to serve the information needs of those with an interest in the charity sector and the sector itself.

Judith Hayhow, Head of Support Services at the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator said:

“If the Charities SORP isn’t right, the accounts that charities produce won’t be right for those who need to use them. That’s why we as regulators are committed to opening up and inviting feedback on the way in which the SORP is developed.”

Tom Malone, Head of Compliance and Enforcement at the Charities Regulatory Authority for the Republic of Ireland said:

“With the accounting framework now being used across different jurisdictions, getting the process right for the development of future SORPs will be vital. That’s why hearing back from stakeholders is so important. Whether you’re a donor, trustee or another regulatory body – the responses will play a crucial role in ensuring the SORP meets everyone’s needs.”

Sarah Atkinson, Director of Policy, Planning and Communications at the Charity Commission for England and Wales said:

“In order for charity to thrive, charities need to demonstrate that they meet the legitimate expectations of the public in everything they do. Transparency about the work they carry out and how their money is spent is critical to maintaining public trust. It is therefore vital that the process for developing the accounting framework inspires confidence and enables charities to report clear, reader-friendly information.”

Punam McGookin, Head of Charity Services at The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland said:

“We are excited to be part of this process to ensure that the charity accounting framework stays relevant and evolves to meet changing requirements. We look forward to receiving responses and working collaboratively with our counterparts to create a high quality reporting and accounting framework for charities across the UK and Ireland.”

Professor Gareth Morgan, Independent Chair of the Oversight Panel said:

“The way in which the SORP is developed is crucial. That is why I am delighted that the four charity regulators in the UK and Ireland have, for the first time ever, established this panel to review the governance processes in the development of the SORP and to make recommendations for the future.”

The consultation is overseen by an independent chair, Professor Gareth Morgan, and will run for 10 weeks, from 26 November 2018 to 4 February 2019. After this time, a summary of responses will be published no later than 30 April 2019. Alongside the feedback collected from consultation events and discussions, the responses will provide invaluable insight to assist the Oversight Panel in its thinking about how the SORP is developed in future and any reforms that are needed.

The full consultation document can be found here.

Ends

Notes to Editors

1. The Charities SORP is the set of rules which governs charity accounting for charitable companies and larger charities (charities with an income over £250,000).
2. For more information about the SORP, the SORP-making body and advisory SORP Committee, please refer to the dedicated website.
3. The Oversight Panel members are Professor Gareth Morgan, Sarah Atkinson, Director of Policy, Planning and Communication at CCEW, Judith Hayhow, Head of Support Services at OSCR, Punam McGookin, Head of Charities Services at CCNI and Tom Malone, Head of Compliance and Enforcement at the Charities Regulator, together with observers from the Financial Reporting Council.