Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has any plans to improve incentives for businesses to invest in skills training.

Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.

The government is clear that employers have a key role to play in the skills system, and it is important for supporting the country’s productivity and addressing skills gaps that employers invest in skills training.

The government is taking steps to build a skills system that is employer focused, high quality, and fit for the future, so that skills training is aligned to the needs of employers. The department is embedding employer-led apprenticeship standards, driving qualification reform to ensure technical qualifications are high-quality and establishing employer-led Local Skills Improvement Plans.

These reforms intend to give employers a greater role in the skills system so that they can invest in skills training with confidence.