What progress has been made in the implementation of the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Act 2026.

The Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Act 2026 (Commencement No. 1) Regulations 2026 were laid on 17 September 2026 and come into force today. The Regulations commence provisions to enable the Council to undertake the preparatory work required to assume its new responsibilities for securing and funding the delivery of national training programmes, apprenticeships and work-based learning on 1 April 2027. The Regulations also commence provisions to enhance the governance of the Council and its oversight of the financial sustainability of colleges and universities.Section 31 of the Act is now in force and requires the Scottish Funding Council to establish an apprenticeship committee. Section 31 also requires the Scottish Ministers to issue guidance to the Scottish Funding Council on the establishment and operation of that committee. This guidance will be issued to the Scottish Funding Council today and a copy of the guidance will be provided to the Education and Gaelic Committee.