Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Union Learning Fund

Monday 23 November 2020 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government regularly meets stakeholders from further education, including meetings with TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady.
  • The Minister stated that only 11% of Union Learning Fund users are unemployed, and from April, the first level 3 qualification for adults without one will be fully funded.
  • The Minister acknowledged the 12 million annual cost of the Union Learning Fund and mentioned the creation of a 2.5 billion national skills fund and a 500 million recovery package for transformation.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Ian Lavery Lab Blyth and Ashington
Education
Context

The question arises from the government's decision to end the Union Learning Fund in 2021, affecting stakeholders involved in adult education.

Question

What discussions have been held with stakeholders in the education sector regarding the Department's decision to end the union learning fund in 2021?

Answer from Gillian Keegan

The Government regularly meet stakeholders from further education, including meeting with TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady on 12 October and again when the Secretary of State met her on 9 November.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a full account of consultations or feedback gathered from all stakeholders before ending funding for Unionlearn.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Toby Perkins Lab Chesterfield
Education Employment
Context

The Westminster Hall debate highlighted a lack of support from Conservative MPs for Unionlearn cuts, questioning the government's commitment to levelling up through education.

Question

No one turned up to speak in favour of this cut during the debate on Unionlearn. Does the Minister realise that no one will believe the Government are serious about levelling up while they are cutting access to level 2 skills for low-paid workers?

Answer from Gillian Keegan

We need to focus taxpayers' money on those who need it; only 11% of users are unemployed. From April, we will fully fund the first level 3 qualification for adults without one, and basic provisions signposted by Unionlearn are available across the country.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not acknowledge the lack of support from MPs or address levelling up concerns directly.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q3 Ian Lavery Lab Blyth and Ashington
Education Employment
Context

The Unionlearn programme supports low-paid workers in accessing education, costing £12 million annually with a reported economic return of £1.4 billion.

Question

Since its creation in 1998 by the Labour Government, the Unionlearn fund has enjoyed cross-party support and backing from businesses. It costs £12 million per annum, supports 200,000 individuals annually, and returns £1.4 billion to the economy. Is this an attack on the trade union movement?

Answer from Gillian Keegan

I recognise the funding provided by the Government has enabled Unionlearn to direct people towards education opportunities, but with millions lacking basic skills, we need a solution at scale. We have created the £2.5 billion national skills fund and £500 million recovery package for transformation.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address if ending Unionlearn is an attack on trade unions but instead focused on broader education initiatives.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)