Northern Ireland
47.Sections 21 to 23 deal with changes to Ofqual, which affect Northern Ireland in that Ofqual regulates vocational qualifications in Northern Ireland. Section 21 strengthens Ofqual’s governance arrangements, section 22 ensures that international comparisons play a key role in Ofqual’s objectives and section 3 makes provision in respect of Ofqual’s enforcement powers. The Northern Ireland Assembly has passed a legislative consent motion to cover these changes.
48.Section 65 deals with consequential amendments arising from AA 2010 to UK-wide legislation that refers to “Academy arrangements” (the Finance Act 2003 and the Equality Act 2010), but as Academies only exist in England, it has no effect elsewhere.
49.Sections 66, 67 and 68 deal with the abolition of the YPLA. Although this is an England only body, it has power to deliver services in Northern Ireland, both to the relevant departments and to other persons specified by the Assembly by order. Section 66 repeals this power along with the other provisions that established the YPLA.
