Skills white paper gives workers too little control over their learning - TUC

• Government plan to break up union learning partnership will open major gap in adult learning, says TUC

Commenting on the publication today (Thursday) of the government's ‘Skills for Jobs’ white paper, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“Cutting the Union Learning Fund will open up a major gap in adult learning, especially for hard-to-reach learners. It transforms workers lives and employers love it too. It would be reckless for government to break up this incredibly successful partnership between government, unions and employers.

“Overall funding does not live up to the hype from ministers. Decisions have been delayed yet again, leaving colleges without the secure settlements they need.

“Working people want a chance to plan their own career. But this employer-led approach leaves people too little control over their learning and skills. Workers need fully-funded rights to lifelong learning and retraining, so they can plan their own future in our fast-changing economy.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

- Save union learning campaign: More information on the success of union learning and the #SaveUnionLearningcampaign is here: https://www.tuc.org.uk/campaigns/dont-let-government-cut-union-learning

- Detailed reaction to the skills white paper: A blog will be published on the TUC website later today providing a more detailed response to the content of the white paper: https://www.tuc.org.uk/blogs