Parliament hears a call for the return of the Union Learning Fund – Usdaw welcomes the intervention

Antonia Bance MP (Labour, Tipton and Wednesbury) said: “One of the least comprehensible acts of the previous Government was the sheer vandalism of ending the Union Learning Fund in 2020. In 2020, 200,000 workers were supported into learning or training through the union learning fund. It was open not just to union members or in union workplaces, but to everyone, and it worked. 

“Union learning reached people that other initiatives just did not. Most importantly, it reached basic skills learners. In union learning, over two-thirds of learners with no previous qualifications got their first qualification. The fund added over £1.4 billion to the economy through the boost to jobs, wages and productivity. It cost £12 million, and that £12 million levered in £54 million from employers, unions and training providers in its last year. 

“I very much hope that our new Government, so clear about the role of unions in social partnership, will make use of the reach of unions to workers and into workplaces that may otherwise not be reached by learning.”

Paddy Lillis – Usdaw general secretary says: “We welcome Antonia Bance raising this issue in Parliament; she co-ordinated a strong TUC campaign against the Tories’ spiteful and unjustified cuts in union learning and it is great to see that she is continuing to fight the cause as an MP. 

“Learning and re-skilling are at the heart of helping our economy grow and preparing the workforce for the new technology, automation and artificial intelligence revolution that is already changing the world of work. So, it was absolutely unbelievable that the last Tory Government ended the Union Learning Fund in England and Wales. 

“This unique scheme brought lifelong learning into many workplaces and pooled the resources of employers, education providers and trade unions. Union Learn reached the people other schemes did not, with brilliant volunteer workplace union learning reps supporting, guiding and mentoring workers back into education. Many learners started with few or no qualifications and went on to engage with higher level education through programmes such as apprenticeships.

“We welcome the Minister’s positive response to the debate and her highlighting that the last Tory Government’s lack of a clear plan led to confusion and widespread skills shortages, which hindered economic growth. We will continue our dialogue on skills and training with the new Labour Government, to help to deliver their mission to rebuild Britian and kick-start economic growth.”