The government has unveiled plans for a new set of qualifications called V Levels, aimed at students aged 16 to 19, as part of a major reform of the education system. These new vocational qualifications are intended to replace hundreds of existing courses and will be tied closely to job standards in key industries. Students will have the option to combine V Levels with traditional academic courses, offering greater flexibility and choice for future careers or further study. The reforms are backed by significant new funding and the creation of Technical Excellence Colleges, with the goal of making vocational education a central pillar of the country's economic and social mobility efforts.

The announcement follows a pledge to increase the number of young people entering higher-level learning, either through university or technical routes. Education leaders have welcomed the move as a step towards greater fairness and clarity in post-16 education, though concerns remain about pay for teachers and lecturers. The government is also introducing a new qualification to help students who do not pass English and maths, aiming to support those most at risk of being left behind. Political opponents, however, have criticised the reforms, arguing they do not go far enough to address underlying issues in the education system.