Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to tackle any disparities in education and skill levels between London and other regions of the UK.

Education performance and outcomes within London from early years through to higher and adult education are varied and complex. London has performed well in recent years in relation to school age outcomes and is home to some of the best universities in the world, but there are still key skills shortages in some boroughs, including basic numeracy and English language for adults. Therefore, our regional response for each is understandably different.

Our technical education reforms, along with the work of Skills Advisory Panels, will give local areas the capability and tools to produce high-quality skills needs analysis to evidence their Local Industrial Strategies, and for providers to work closely with local employers to better meet local skills needs. For example, we worked with four providers across London to test a range of industry placement models to understand how employers and providers can best work together on T Levels.

In addition, the government is devolving the Adult Education Budget via delegation to the Greater London Authority from 2019-20 academic year as set out in the Industrial Strategy. Through delegation, the Mayor of London can provide adult education that serves the needs of the local economy and local people, directly shaping outcomes for adults across London. The delegation will assist the Mayor in delivering London’s first ever dedicated skills strategy.

We will work closely with the Greater London Authority, along with combined authorities, Local Enterprise Partnerships and councils on future ways of working which support the successful delivery of both local and national adult education provision.