The Budget 17th November: CMI look ahead

Anthony Painter, Policy Director at the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), said:

“Ahead of the Autumn Statement, the Government must not lose sight of the pressing need to address the UK’s skills gap and to look beyond short-term, quick fixes. Without a firm plan to address training shortfalls for people across the country, not only will Britain’s road to economic recovery be slowed, we will be effectively building roadblocks to future growth.

“The levy-funded apprenticeship system in England is starting to deliver real-world results - both in productivity and social mobility - and it needs to be supported to do a better job of reaching smaller businesses and employees who have missed out on, or been denied, access to higher level education.

“Employers in every corner of the UK need to be encouraged to upskill their workforces, including through the development of crucial management skills. To get there, there needs to be concrete incentives to investing in human capital, as there is with other capital investment. 

“Nothing short of a laser focus on a meaningful skills policy will see the UK emerge as a modern economy that can compete globally and improve the lives and livelihoods of people regardless of where they live in the UK.”