Source · Select Committees · Transport Committee
Recommendation 3
3
Accepted
Mandate regular meetings between Transport Secretary and counterparts; expedite procurement response to support British manufacturers.
Recommendation
The Secretary of State for Transport should meet regularly with her counterparts in the Departments for Business and Trade, Education and Skills, Work and Pensions, Energy Security and Net Zero, and the Cabinet Office with a focus on how the British transport manufacturing sector can be best placed to make the most of the opportunities presented by the Government’s legislation and policies on buses, rail and decarbonisation of transport, and on the Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan. Where regional mayors exist, they should also be engaged. Both domestic procurement and global export opportunities should be on the agenda. We urge the Government to bring forward its response to the consultation on public procurement speedily and to go as far as possible towards supporting public procurement from British manufacturers. (Recommendation, Paragraph 23) 32 Apprenticeships: fit for the future?
Government Response Summary
The Government highlights work with Skills England to ensure the offer meets business needs, delivers value for money and supports economic growth, and states they are launching the first eight apprenticeship units from April 2026, focussing on priority sectors.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
We agree with the Committee on the importance of providing opportunities for people with caring responsibilities, as well as those seeking to re-enter the workforce. We recognise the need to go further to ensure that the growth and skills levy supports people that would benefit the most from government investment, however, we do not consider that these specific recommendations are the right way to achieve this shared objective. Employers are responsible for their recruitment decisions and have a fundamental responsibility to ensure that their hiring practices provide fair, inclusive, and equitable opportunities for all candidates. Government does not believe that imposing additional conditions on employers through reporting of training options is the right way to achieve diversity in the manufacturing workforce and there are no plans to make growth and skills levy funding contingent on this. Apprenticeships, as with other jobs, can already be undertaken on a part- time basis with agreement from the employer. Apprenticeships training can also be delivered flexibly with agreement between the employer and training provider; options include front-loading training, block release, or accelerating the apprenticeship if the individual has prior learning that enables them to complete more quickly. As the Government develops the growth and skills levy it will continue to work with Skills England to ensure that the offer meets the needs of businesses, delivers value for money and supports economic growth. The reformed levy will deliver greater flexibility to employers and learners in England and support the industrial strategy. As mentioned above, we are launching the first eight apprenticeship units from April 2026, focussing on priority sectors including artificial intelligence (AI), construction and engineering. This means that for the first time, levy payers can use levy funding for training beyond apprenticeships. Apprenticeship units will also be fully funded for non-levy paying employers, who are typically SMEs. Apprenticeship units can be used where a learner does not need to reach full occupational competence, or is already occupationally competent and needs to keep up with emerging technologies or skills. This new offer provides employers greater choice in how they invest in and develop the skills of their current workforce.