Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Recommendation 5
5
Deferred
Review and regrade Skills England Chief Executive Officer status by June 2026 for greater seniority.
Recommendation
We recommend that the Department for Education reviews the status of Skills England’s Chief Executive Officers in June 2026—twelve months after Skills England became fully operational—to ensure they have been given the right level of seniority and that they have been able to perform their cross-departmental duties freely and effectively. The CEO position must be regraded if it is clear that seniority issues have prevented them from performing their duties constructively. (Recommendation, Paragraph 25)
Government Response Summary
The government defers the specific review of CEO seniority, stating it will be considered as part of a broader, already planned review of Skills England within 18-24 months of its establishment.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
PLANS ALREADY IN PLACE It is good practice for new arm’s length bodies to be reviewed to ensure they are effectively meeting their intended aims and delivering value for money. During the passage of the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Bill, Ministers committed to a review of Skills England within 18 to 24 months of it being established as an Executive Agency to ensure that it is delivering for the economy. This review will be carried out in line with Cabinet Office requirements and include consideration of the appropriateness of Skills England’s delivery mode and the effectiveness of Skills England in achieving its objectives, helping to ensure it is well governed and properly accountable. We believe it is most appropriate to consider the effectiveness of Skills England’s leadership structure within the context of this broader review.