Call for evidence around the use of generative artificial intelligence in education nc

start a conversation with experts from across education and technology to hear their views and learn from their experiences. This will help us make the right decisions to get the best out of generative AI in a safe and secure way.”

DfE protects funding for vulnerable children and young people

The DfE has announced it is not proceeding with proposed cuts to Youth Services and a range of Early Years programmes including the Pathway Fund, Sure Start, Bright Start and Toybox. In addition, the Department is not proceeding with the full scale of proposed cuts to Extended Schools. The education budget for 2023/24 has been cut by £66.4 million (2.5 per cent) compared with last year, despite rising costs and increasing demands for services, resulting in an estimated funding gap of around £382 million.

Faced with this extremely challenging financial position, the Department has already taken significant decisions to reduce expenditure by £172 million. These included the cessation of the Engage, Healthy Happy Minds and

School Holiday Food Grant schemes from the end of March 2023 and reductions to the Education Authority’s Aggregated Schools Budget and Block Grant.

Education Permanent Secretary Dr Mark Browne said: “The Department’s vision for all children is that they will be happy, learning and succeeding. Delivering on this is particularly challenging in the current budgetary context, especially in terms of addressing the needs of our most disadvantaged children and young people. We know that early intervention, especially for our most vulnerable, is critical for development, improving learning outcomes and supporting longer-term societal benefits.

“Accordingly, having carefully considered all of the principles in the Secretary of State’s decision-making guidance, I am not cutting funding to Youth services and a range of

Early Years programmes including the Pathway Fund, Sure Start, Bright Start and Toybox. In addition, I am not proceeding with the full scale of proposed cuts to Extended Schools.

“Evidence shows that the scale of the proposed cuts to Early Years, Extended Schools and Youth Service programmes would create greater budgetary pressures for the next financial year and beyond across a range of areas, including special educational needs.”

The Department has published an Equality Impact Assessment Consultation as part of the final budget (https://bit.ly/3Jbg9yX) and interested parties are encouraged to make responses. The consultation responses received will be used to inform further mitigation measures and reallocation of any additional funding available during 2023-24.