Free meals now cover every 16 to 19 learner in a household receiving Universal Credit, but most FE providers still cannot use the electronic checker. This week's update also sharpens qualification and reporting deadlines.

New attendance analysis estimates that almost 42,000 16 and 17-year-olds may be missing more than half their college sessions. The briefing also covers adult English and maths participation, V Level assessment rules and autumn data deadlines.