Source · Select Committees · Business and Trade Committee
Recommendation 5
5
Accepted
Bring forward a new data poverty and digital skills strategy for worker support.
Recommendation
It has yet to be seen what effect the Science and Technology Framework recently announced by the Government will have on digital skills development. We call on the Government to bring forward a new data poverty and digital skills strategy that will, amongst other things, set out how workers will be supported in the development of their digital skills. (Paragraph 50) 66 Post-pandemic economic growth: UK labour markets
Government Response Summary
The government commits to delivering the Lifelong Loan Entitlement (LLE) from academic year 2025/26, providing individuals with a loan entitlement for post-18 education. This will include phased modular funding initially targeting Higher Technical Qualifications and other technical qualifications at levels 4 and 5, with an intention to expand to Level 6 modules from 2027, to support digital skills development.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The Lifelong Loan Entitlement (LLE) will be delivered from academic year 2025/26, providing individuals with a loan entitlement to the equivalent of four years of post-18 education to use over their working lives (£37,000 in today’s fees). The Government is committed to delivering at pace to introduce the LLE from 2025. However, delivering its vision will require extensive changes to the student finance system and the types of courses available. The Government will take a phased approach to modular funding, focusing on higher technical courses which have clear employer checks or where they address skills gaps to support learners into jobs which employers need. From the start of AY25/26, this will be initially targeted at: • All Higher Technical Qualifications; and • Technical qualifications at levels 4 and 5 currently funded through the ALL system which have a clear line of sight to an occupational standard and employer support. We have the intention to expand out to include Level 6 modules from 2027. Our ambition is to iteratively deliver LLE modularity policy between 2025 and 2027, with work to adapt behaviours going beyond. Although we can share findings one year after it’s commencement, we will still be within our change programme and still working towards our benefits.