Three factors are conspiring to make the policy of raising the
participation age (RPA) extremely challenging for the Coalition Government.
Late last month, there was confirmation that the number of 16
and 17 year olds in England is 56,000 higher than previously expected. In addition, 16-19 spending on participation in education and
training by the Department for Education unlike 5-16 education will not be
protected as part of Spending Review 2013. And 2015/16 is the first year when cuts to the 16-19 budget and
the RPA is increased to the 18th birthday coincide.
