Government Shows Off Big Skills Commitment

My interview with Skills Minister Baroness Smith.

Last Friday, I had the privilege of attending Labour Finance and Industry Group's 'Talking about Skills' event with Minister for Skills Baroness Smith. In her opening address, Baroness Smith elegantly detailed how training a skilled workforce is a necessity for delivering on every one of the Government's ambitions: fixing the NHS, leading the world in green energy, and building the next generation of social and affordable homes.

The Minister spoke passionately on how vital skills are to delivering on our Government's promises.

The Conservatives' unwillingness to break down barriers to opportunity and address our country's myriad of skills shortages held back our economic growth. In contrast, the Labour Party is delivering on its manifesto promises to empower young people and workers in developing cutting-edge and in-demand skills. At the heart of the Government's plans is the newly-established Skills England, which will ensure local workforces have the talents they need to drive prosperity.

As Baroness Smith laid-out last Friday, our Government's ambitions rely on a confident, happy, and skilled workforce. On Sunday, HM Treasury and the Department for Education announced £600 million of funding to train 60,000 new workers for our construction sector. This comprehensive set of reforms will see the introduction of 10 new Technical Excellence Colleges, a new foundation construction apprenticeship, and support for experienced construction workers to pass their expertise on to the next generation.

In Parliament, house builders told me how excited they were by the Government's announcements.

As Chair of the APPG for SME House Builders, I particularly welcome the £98 million pledged to improve support for small and medium enterprise (SME) house builders seeking to take on apprentices. Attending the House Builders Federation Skills Reception in Parliament on Monday, business leaders told me they are enthusiastic about the Government's plans to tackle the skills gaps in their industry. With the further announcement of £2 billion investment from HM Treasury to deliver 18,000 new affordable homes, the future for both home builders and home buyers looks bright.