The Education & Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) has communicated some headline news items to academy trusts, with specific reference to a delay in publishing new guidance as a result of the general election on 4 July.

2024 budget forecast return (BFR)

The budget forecast return form is now available online, along with the accompanying guidance. New fields have been added to capture information about trusts forecast ICT spend.

The deadline for the 2024 BFR is confirmed as 29 August 2024.

2024 Academy Trust Handbook

Publication of the Academy Trust Handbook for the new academic year will be postponed until after the general election.

The ESFA highlights the fact that any updates to the handbook will require ministerial approval, and therefore an update will be provided at the earliest opportunity.

Academy trust funding

The ESFA will continue to deliver funding that has been previously allocated during this period. However, there will be no new announcements on funding levels.

The letter to accounting officers in academy trusts, detailing the updates outlined above, can be viewed here.

Our Experts