Use local government more in fixing employment

The Local Government Association is warning that employment and skills support in local areas will become even more fragmented if councils are sidelined in the government’s Skills and Post-16 Education Bill.

The LGA is calling on MPs to accept a Lords amendment to the Bill which would ensure that councils can work together with businesses and further education providers to deliver a more coherent local skills offer to give young people and adults the best chance of improving their skills and progressing into quality jobs.

The government has recognised that mayoral combined authorities who have devolved skills functions should be included in LSIP development, but the LGA is calling on the government to extend this to councils in other parts of the country, as they hold unique skills, local labour market and economic development expertise that is vital to LSIPs.

Their involvement will be crucial to bridge LSIPs with other local provision to create an coordinated offer that works for local areas, and build in local democratic accountability for LSIPs outcomes, which is currently missing from the governments proposals.

Simon Henig, deputy chair of the LGA’s People and Places Board, said: “Throughout the pandemic, local government have been trusted to co-ordinate employment, training and business support for their local area. Councils want to build on this as we help our communities recover. Councils know their communities best and it is vitally important that local authorities are given a greater role in this Bill so they can work in partnership to help support people to get into employment or training.

“At a time when the government is rightly discussing devolving powers to local areas as part of the Levelling Up White Paper, it is crucial that this is not undermined by sidelining the expertise of local government in the delivery of skills and employment support.

“With adequate resourcing and powers and the ability to work in partnership with national government and others at an early stage, councils can help well-intended but disconnected national schemes keep people in work and businesses recruiting.”