A skilled workforce benefits both individuals and the wider UK economy. The government is focused on creating an environment for individuals to develop their skills to boost productivity in the UK. The Autumn Budget 2017 announced that the government would consult on how it could extend the existing tax relief available for self-funded work-related training by employees and the self-employed. The government wants to gain an understanding of:

• how it can best learn the lessons from previous initiatives, such as vocational training tax relief in the 1990s, and tax deductions for training in other countries

• how it could design an extension to the existing tax relief that focuses on supporting good quality training for those wanting to upskill or retrain, particularly those who want or need to change career

• how it could design an extension that prevents misuse on recreational activities, is sustainable for the public finances, and is simple to understand and administer