UCU welcomes Labour's skills report

Responding to the report, UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: 'The Conservative Government has been a disaster for further education, and has failed to properly use the expertise of college lecturers to upskill England. This report shows Labour understands the transformative potential of further education, both for students and for local communities. The reintroduction of the Educational Maintenance Allowance, scrapped by the Tories, will be a vital lifeline for working class young people and allow them to get good qualifications and good jobs.

'Likewise, including representatives from trade unions and further education on Labour's National Skills Taskforce will help ensure those who understand education and the world of work best will be able to ensure every community in England has access to good quality education and good quality jobs. Our members are experts in the local communities and students they serve, their voices will be crucial in upskilling the country. However, care should be taken to ensure that that the composition of the taskforce does not enable the voice of business to disenfranchise the interests of local communities and their elected representatives.'