Here’s some take-outs from the Labour Party Manifesto, released on 13 June 2024, relevant to those interested in tech and digital skills….
Announcements include:
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Putting in place a new national industrial strategy, with an Industrial Strategy Council which includes representation from all nations and regions, business and trade unions. There would be a sectoral approach, and there is specific mention of supporting the development of the AI sector.
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Establishing** Skills England** to bring together business, training providers and unions with national and local government, and devolving adult skills funding to Combined Authorities, and give local areas new powers over adult education and skills.
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Introducing a new statutory requirement forLocal Growth Plans, aligned with the national industrial strategy, to be created by local leaders working with major employers, universities, colleges and industry bodies.
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Bringing together Jobcentre Plus and the National Careers Service to focus on getting people into work and get on at work.
A Labour government would also:
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Reform the Apprenticeship Levy with a flexibleGrowth and Skills Levy, with Skills England consulting on eligible courses.
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Bring forward a comprehensive strategy for post-16 education, including transforming Transform Further Education colleges into specialistTechnical Education Colleges.
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Guarantee training, an apprenticeship, or help to find work for all 18-21 year olds to bring down the number of young people not learning or earning, and also guarantee two weeks’ worth of work experience for every young person.
Employers would be put at the heart of the skills system, and a framework would be established for joint working of theMigration Advisory Committee with skills bodies across the UK, the Industrial Strategy Council and the Department for Work and Pensions. Also on migration, there would be changes to ensure that migration to address skills shortages triggers a plan to upskill workers and improve working conditions in the UK.
In other tech-related content, there is a plan to introduce binding regulation on companies developing the most powerful AI models to ensure their safe development and use; investment in digital forensics capability for the police; and reference to building on the Online Safety Act to keep everyone safe online.
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