Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Bill [Lords]

Gavin Williamson Excerpts

Report stage
Monday 31st March 2025 Commons Chamber

Skills England has a much broader function than IfATE. Its broader strategic function is incredibly important and it is not small. They are different shapes and sizes, if you like. Skills England will initially prioritise 10 sectors: the eight growth-driving sectors in the industrial strategy, as well as construction and health and social care, which are also listed as essential to the Government’s missions. So there are 10 sectors to feed into the industrial strategy planning process. The noble Baroness Smith of Malvern has said that work is under way on eight of those, which begs the question, “What about the other two?” On a bigger level, what about two of the three big volume employment sectors, hospitality and retail, which, for a broad labour market strategy that includes the skills we want in them, are essential?

[Sir Gavin Williamson (Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge) (Con)]

My right hon. Friend makes an important point about the exclusion of a number of sectors. There is a danger that Skills England will be very much tilted towards London and the south-east, ignoring large areas such as the midlands and the north of England, which will suffer as a result of its very prescribed focus.

[Damian Hinds]

My right hon. Friend makes a very important point, which stands on its own merits.