The School Funding, Budget Statements and Outturn Statements (Wales) Regulations 2026 update: March 2026
An update on new regulations that establish the financial framework for maintained schools in Wales from 2027.
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The Cabinet Secretary for Education, Lynne Neagle MS, confirmed in November that she intended to lay the School Funding, Budget Statements and Outturn Statements (Wales) Regulations 2026 in March 2026. Consultation feedback showed broad support for the proposed amendments.
The School Funding, Budget Statements and Outturn Statements (Wales) Regulations 2026 were laid on 6 March 2026 alongside the Explanatory Memorandum. The Regulations set the statutory requirements on how local authorities fund education and report on their education budget and spending. They come into force on 1 February 2027 and will apply to financial years starting on or after 1 April 2027. This will allow local authorities time to consult and update any processes or policies.
The School Funding, Budget Statements and Outturn Statements (Wales) Regulations 2026 will replace:
- the School Funding (Wales) Regulations 2010
- the Education (Budget Statements) (Wales) Regulations 2002
- the Education (Outturn Statements) (Wales) Regulations 2003
The Regulations aim to provide greater transparency, comparability and consistency in the system, to allow informed budget discussions at all levels.