Janet Daby MP: speeches

Speeches

• 13 Mar 2025 · Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Bill [ Lords ] (Second sitting) · Hansard source

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  Amendment 7 would require the Secretary of State’s report about the exercise of functions transferred from IfATE to include information on the impact on the provision of level 7 apprenticeships in England. The amendment would duplicate the duty in the Bill for the Secretary of State to report on the impact of the exercise of relevant functions on apprenticeships. What the amendment appears to be asking for is already in scope of the report, as described in clause 9. I also reassure Members that Skills England’s analysis and insights, which highlight skills needs in our economy, will reflect how far apprenticeships and other technical qualifications are meeting those needs on an ongoing basis. I should be clear that Skills England will be an evidence-based, authoritative voice on skills, with a broad and ambitious remit to identify and tackle skills gaps. Although it will have a significant impact across the Government, and indeed the country, it is part of a skills system where priority skills policy, strategy and funding decisions remain for the Secretary of State and the Cabinet. Taking advice from Skills England, we will be asking more employers to step forward and fund level 7 apprenticeships. As I have said, we will set out more information shortly. I therefore ask the hon. Member for Harborough, Oadby and Wigston to withdraw his amendment.

• 13 Mar 2025 · Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Bill [ Lords ] (Second sitting) · Hansard source

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  Clause 9 contains a duty for the Secretary of State to publish and lay before Parliament, within six months after the closure of IfATE, a report setting out which functions of the Bill are being exercised by Skills England, and the impact that the exercise of functions transferred from IfATE to the Secretary of State has on apprenticeships and technical education in England. As I indicated on Second Reading, it is anticipated that the functions being transferred from IfATE to the Secretary of State relating to the development, approval, review and revision of apprenticeships and technical education qualifications will largely be exercised by Skills England, operating as an Executive agency. It is after having listened to, and acted on, the contributions made by peers in the other place, and their calls for greater transparency, that the Government have introduced this duty in the Bill. We have noted the broad support for Skills England throughout the passage of the Bill, and recognise that there is considerable interest in understanding exactly what it will do once it is fully formed. This reporting requirement is in addition to a broader set of expectations placed on all Executive agencies, which Skills England will be required to meet, to provide transparency about their work and accountability for their performance. The reporting arrangements of Executive agencies are clearly defined. They must produce an annual corporate plan and an annual report, both of which will be published in respect of Skills England, subject to any commercial considerations in the corporate plan. Guidance dictates that corporate plans should include matters such as key objectives and performance targets, and assessment of current and recent performance against those targets. Furthermore, governance arrangements for Skills England will be set out in a framework document, which is a core constitutional document that must be produced in line with guidance from HM Treasury. Skills England’s framework document will be agreed between its board and Ministers. Once finalised, it will be published online, and Ministers will deposit a copy in both Houses. Without clause 9, there would not be a requirement set out in legislation for the Secretary of State to report transparently on exactly which functions in the Bill Skills England is taking on.

• 13 Mar 2025 · Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Bill [ Lords ] (Second sitting) · Hansard source

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  I want to emphasise that no one is seeking to erode standards. We are seeking to improve the skills system. We recognise the need to move things on and to quicken up the process. This Government are entirely committed to doing that. We recognise the skills gaps and the need to ensure that people have the skills needed to get into the employment that they need. This is a Government who have a mission for growth and breaking down barriers to opportunities. In clauses 7 and 8 we are seeking to move along the processes to make sure our system is more flexible and agile and can respond to markets, businesses and employers. In clause 8, in terms of Ofqual, we are not trying to create a two-tier system. The Bill would remove what is an unnecessary and blanket ban on the accreditation of technical education qualifications. There are of course then options for using the new flexibilities in accreditation, which will need to be considered in the interests of employers and learners. The Secretary of State will carefully consider when it may be appropriate for Ofqual to accredit technical qualifications. With regard to clause 7, in certain circumstances, obtaining independent third-party examination of new standards and assessment plans is unnecessary or duplicative, wasting time and resources; we may need to move things on.

• 13 Mar 2025 · Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Bill [ Lords ] (Second sitting) · Hansard source

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  Through this Bill, we are making a small number of targeted improvements that enable flexibility and support employers to engage in the design of standards in an appropriate way, by focusing their time and effort where it is most needed. Clause 4 amends a requirement for occupational standards to be prepared by a group of persons, by making it subject to a power for the Secretary of State to create and update standards in circumstances where it is appropriate to do so. Clause 5 does the same in regard to the preparation of apprenticeship assessment plans. I can assure hon. Members that the default position will remain that in the majority of cases, groups of persons will prepare standards and apprenticeship assessment plans. Only when the Secretary of State is satisfied that it is more appropriate for them to prepare a standard or assessment plan than for a group of persons to prepare it will the Secretary of State do so. To ensure transparency, the Secretary of State will publish information about matters that they will take into account when making the decision to prepare a standard or assessment plan without a group of persons.

• 13 Mar 2025 · Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Bill [ Lords ] (Second sitting) · Hansard source

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  I will speak to amendments 8 and 9. Clause 10 makes provision for the Secretary of State to address any consequential effects that the Bill may have on other legislation. The Department recognises and takes seriously the important role that Parliament has in scrutinising consequential amendments. That is why it has made every possible effort to ensure that schedules 1 and 3 capture the existing legislation in scope for consequential amendments, and that existing legislation passing through Parliament this Session takes account of the provisions of the Bill. As well as existing primary legislation, clause 10 will allow the Secretary of State to address any consequential effects this Bill may have on other Bills passing through Parliament this Session.

• 13 Mar 2025 · Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Bill [ Lords ] (Second sitting) · Hansard source

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  Clause 7 amends the 2009 Act to substitute a requirement for independent third-party examination of all new standards and assessment plans for a discretionary power for the Secretary of State to make arrangements to do so. The default position will remain that the Secretary of State will make arrangements for independent third-party examination of new standards and assessment plans prior to their approval. The clause will provide an alternative approach in certain circumstances, where obtaining third-party examination is duplicative or not necessary. We envisage scenarios where the Secretary of State is not likely to make arrangements for an examination. For example, in highly regulated occupations in the health sector, where the regulatory requirements for occupational competence must be reflected in the occupational standard and assessment plan, third-party review would be duplicative and an inefficient use of resources. Similarly, where a regulator is directly supporting the development of the occupational standard and apprenticeship assessment plan and can assure themselves that they will meet regulatory requirements, an independent third-party examination also becomes redundant. The option not to arrange an independent third-party review may also be deployed where employers place a high value on a professional body’s mandated qualification or key skills and behaviour learning outcomes, and the occupational standard adopts this very closely, such as the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and human resources standards. In such cases, an external review would be nugatory. That is also the case for emerging or highly specialised occupations, such as in the nuclear industry, where the group of persons preparing the industry represent the totality of interested parties. Without the clause, third-party examinations of all new standards and assessment plans would continue to be required in every instance, the delivery of which would not benefit the content but would act as a drain on time and resource.

• 11 Mar 2025 · Draft Industrial Training Levy (Construction Industry Training Board) Order 2025 · Hansard source

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  I thank the hon. Member for raising that again—I had it in my notes. Further information on the level 7 apprenticeships will shortly be made available to the House. Question put and agreed to .

• 11 Mar 2025 · Draft Industrial Training Levy (Construction Industry Training Board) Order 2025 · Hansard source

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  I will endeavour to answer those four questions. As the shadow Minister has suggested, if there are any questions I am unable to answer, he is welcome to write to me, or I can write to him. This mission-led Government are kick-starting economic growth, delivering on net zero commitments and breaking down barriers to opportunity. The Government have committed to building 1.5 million homes in England during this Parliament for the growth mission, delivering the biggest boost to social and affordable housing in a generation. In 2023, as the shadow Minister is aware, Mark Farmer was commissioned to carry out an independent review of the two remaining industry training boards, the engineering construction ITB and the construction ITB. That was part of the standard cycle of Cabinet Office reviews of public bodies. As I have said, the review’s publication was delayed until 30 January 2025 due to a lengthy fact-checking process and the need to consider our response in the light of our missions following the general election. A headline finding was that the construction and engineering construction sectors face common strategic workforce challenges. The review recommended merging the ITBs to focus on improving workforce resilience across both sectors. As we press ahead with delivering 1.5 million homes, now would be the wrong time to distract the construction sector by consulting on changes to legislation. What the sector needs now is continued investment in skills and training to create a larger and more effective workforce. We are driving that through increased voluntary collaboration between ITBs, initially focused on the commonality of purpose in infrastructure, as demonstrated by the recent signing of the skills charter by both ITBs and Sizewell C. There is no immediate plan to legislate to merge the ITBs. The CITB levy is specific to the construction industry. It has a wider remit on the types of training that can be funded, such as providing grants to deliver training to existing staff to meet any construction-related training needs, as well as setting sector occupational standards to assure the quality of qualifications. The CITB has also used its levy funding to address barriers specific to the construction industry, including the creation of a new entrant support team. This mainly supports smaller businesses to identify appropriate training, and it provides mentoring and other support for learners. In less than a year, NEST has supported 2,506 distinct employers and 5,230 apprentices. Of those apprentices, 96.6% remain on their training or have achieved their apprenticeship, which is an excellent result. The ITBs are working with the Department for Education as the growth and skills offer is further defined, to ensure that ITB levy-funded training complements that provision. As I have already said, there are no immediate plans to legislate to merge the ITBs. The CITB’s running costs are currently at 15% and include the cost of administering the levy, grants and funding schemes for employers. Its underlying corporate costs—including human resources, finance and other back office services—are at 10%. The 2023 ITB review recommended that there should be more transparency on the ITBs’ funding costs, that their corporate service costs should be benchmarked against suitable comparators, and that both ITBs should look to make 5% efficiency savings. In 2023-24, the CITB made efficiency savings of 11.3%. The Government agree with those recommendations, and a steering group will be convened to monitor their implementation. The Department for Education’s response to the ITB review is on the Government website. We have accepted the majority of the review’s recommendations. Where the Department has partially accepted the recommendations, or accepted them in principle, it is because the recommendations are complex and are likely to require additional scoping of form and function. In some cases, consultation with the industry is likely to be required. We must see a step change in construction skills delivery to achieve many of the Government’s infrastructure and housing ambitions. Over the next 12 months, we will work with ITBs and other Government Departments through a cross-departmental steering group to scope the different ways of implementing the more complex recommendations. All that work will need to be carried out before final policy decisions can be made on whether to fully accept and implement the recommendations. I am happy to write to the shadow Minister on his other financial points. This draft order is designed to enable the CITB to concentrate on its job at hand, which is turning the dial on the provision of a growing and skilled construction workforce, alongside everything else this Government and industry will also bring to the table. The CITB levy ensures that the construction industry invests in training and skills. It provides businesses of all sizes with access to ringfenced funding estimated at almost £224 million over the next financial year. Hon. Members will know that we cannot afford to turn down such investment, given our ambition for growth and our ambition to build 1.5 million homes during this Parliament.

• 11 Mar 2025 · Draft Industrial Training Levy (Construction Industry Training Board) Order 2025 · Hansard source

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  I beg to move, That the Committee has considered the draft Industrial Training Levy (Construction Industry Training Board) Order 2025. This draft order was laid before the House on 5 February. It is a pleasure to see you in the Chair, Dr Allin-Khan. The scale and urgency of the skills challenge, which my noble Friend the Minister for Skills and I have been debating with Members in this House and the other place over recent weeks, are clear. It is also clear that the solution lies not just with the Government, but in working in partnership with everyone who can scale up the necessary skilled workforce to deliver the growth, opportunity and homes needed by all. The Construction Industry Training Board is one of those essential partners. I say “essential” because Mark Farmer’s recently published independent review of both remaining industry training boards reinforces the need to continue with the levy-funded model of construction skills provision. The levy remains important to a fragmented industry that is characterised by high levels of self-employment, contracting and project work, which often create a disincentive for employers to train and develop their workforce. If approved, the draft order will generate almost £224 million in 2025-26, which will be ringfenced for construction training and will support an estimated 67,000 assessable employers. Established in 1964 with a remit across England, Scotland and Wales, the CITB is energised by our ambition to build 1.5 million homes, provide up to 5 million home upgrades and provide a skills system that provides opportunity for all. I thank the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments for its detailed review of the draft order. Little has been amended in the previous 2022-23 year order: levy assessment rates, which were heavily consulted on, remain the same. Companies that directly employ workers will continue to pay 0.35% of those employee earnings. It is right that companies that contract workers, and so do not bear associated staffing costs, pay a greater share towards the pool of trained individuals. Their levy rate remains at 1.25% of the contract payments paid to indirectly employed workers. What have changed are the thresholds that ensure that smaller organisations that employ fewer people are exempt from the levy or given a 50% reduction in levy fees. The increases in exemptions and reductions in thresholds are designed to avoid penalising companies whose staff wages have increased since the previous order in 2022. Employers with an annual wage bill below £135,000—the CITB estimates that this is 69% of in-scope employers—are exempt from paying any levy at all. A further 15% of employers will be eligible to pay just half of their levy rate, and this applies to companies with a wage bill between £135,000 and £449,999. A laudable feature of the CITB levy is that exempt employers, or those that pay reduced levy rates, are still eligible to claim full CITB support. The few larger construction companies support the many sole traders and small and medium-sized enterprises that make up the majority of the sector. Put simply, 84% of in-scope employers are either exempt from paying the levy or will pay just half of the levy, but they can still benefit from the full training support available. I know hon. Members will be keen to understand how those in scope of these payments feel about the additional levy that the law puts upon them. Last year’s general election delayed the publication of the much-anticipated Mark Farmer review, which I have mentioned. The CITB felt it was unreasonable to complete its usual engagement with the industry through its in-depth and lengthy consensus process while the outcome of the review was still unknown. Instead, the CITB sought views on the one-year proposal from its 14 prescribed organisations, sector federations representing around 30% of all levy-paying employers and the nation councils for England, Scotland and Wales. The vast majority were supportive, and neither the CITB nor my Department has encountered opposition since that targeted engagement. With the ITB review and the CITB’s “Strategic Plan 2025-29” now published, the industry is in a much stronger position to reach a consensus on the 2026 proposals and make informed decisions.

• 11 Mar 2025 · Draft Industrial Training Levy (Construction Industry Training Board) Order 2025 · Hansard source

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  I can confirm that both the Scottish Government and the Welsh Government were consulted, and neither objected. This draft order will enable the CITB to continue raising extra revenue from those in the construction sector who benefit most from its growth. This will be reinvested into our skilled construction workforce to support the sector to build Britain’s future.

• 10 Mar 2025 · Topical Questions · Hansard source

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  My hon. Friend is absolutely right to demonstrate her concern. We want a skills system that provides opportunity and delivers growth. The curriculum and assessment review is looking at how we can ensure that high-value qualification pathways are available for 16 to 19-year-olds. As we continue to reform qualifications, we will consider the review findings and publish them later in the year.

• 10 Mar 2025 · Topical Questions · Hansard source

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  My hon. Friend is right. The first set of statistics released under the Labour Government shows that apprenticeship starts, participation and achievements are all on the up, compared with the same period under the Tories. We have celebrated by going further and faster to cut red tape, so that up to 10,000 more apprentices can achieve each year. That is a clear contrast to the failures that we saw under the Tories for 14 years and the continued failure of the SNP. It is time for change in Scotland, and only Labour can deliver that change.

• 10 Mar 2025 · Topical Questions · Hansard source

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  My hon. Friend is right to mention young carers. The Government are committed to increasing their visibility and ensuring that they have the support that they need, at home and in education. We champion initiatives such as Young Carers Action Day and the young carers covenant, which further highlights the needs of young carers and the support available to them.

• 10 Mar 2025 · Institutes of Technology · Hansard source

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  We absolutely support girls and young women to take STEM subjects. It is interesting that the Conservatives did funding mid-year, which is unusual. As I am sure that they will be aware, hard decisions need to be made because of the difficult fiscal situation inherited by this Government. We will continue to do more to get girls into STEM subjects; we are absolutely committed to this.

• 10 Mar 2025 · Institutes of Technology · Hansard source

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  The Department values the approach of the institutes of technology, which bring together education and industry to develop and deliver curriculums related to local employers and create sustainable pathways for talent development. We will continue to work with IOTs —including Swindon and Wiltshire IOT—in developing our strategy for post-16 skills.

• 10 Mar 2025 · Institutes of Technology · Hansard source

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  IOTs bring together further education and higher education providers to deliver higher level technical qualifications including degrees and apprenticeships. I could offer to meet my hon. Friend, but I am sure he would much prefer to meet my noble Friend the Skills Minister from the other place. I will raise his request with her.

• 10 Mar 2025 · Construction Apprenticeships · Hansard source

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  This Government have an extremely challenging fiscal inheritance. There are tough choices to take on how funding should be prioritised to generate opportunities for young people to start fulfilling careers. Learners who have started will be funded to completion and we expect to make a final decision on effective apprenticeships shortly. We are committed to level 7 apprenticeships and to people continuing their education to a good standard.

• 10 Mar 2025 · Construction Apprenticeships · Hansard source

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  I assure my hon. Friend that this Government are not ducking or diving the tough decisions that need to be made. Homebuilding skills hubs will create more apprenticeships in occupations where there are shortages, such as bricklaying and groundwork. The changes that we have introduced to English and maths will support thousands more apprentices to achieve each year, including in construction. This Government of action are building the skilled workforce this country needs, including in Slough.

• 10 Mar 2025 · Construction Apprenticeships · Hansard source

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  Where the previous Government failed, Labour is getting Britain building again. Our pioneering new homebuilding skills hubs will deliver fast-track training, meaning more opportunity, new homes and stronger growth. Some 32 hubs across the country will create 5,000 more construction apprenticeship places and play a part in getting Britain building again. A homebuilding revolution requires a skills revolution, and Labour will provide more homes, greater opportunity and stronger growth.

• 10 Mar 2025 · Agricultural Education and Training · Hansard source

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  Land-based colleges receive higher funding per student to support delivery of programmes in agriculture, horticulture and forestry, and animal care and veterinary science. The 16 to 19 national funding rate will rise by 3.78% in 2025-26, increasing the funding for those programmes.

• 10 Mar 2025 · Agricultural Education and Training · Hansard source

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  This Government are committed to education for 16 to 19-year-olds, and beyond. Extra funding is available for all important skills in high-value and high-cost areas, including manufacturing and farming. We value farmers hugely and we are committed to investing £5 million in the farming budget over two years.

• 26 Feb 2025 · Future Skills Programmes: Universities · Hansard source

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  I thank my hon. Friend for making that excellent point. No one is too young to learn a skill. Skills should be learned throughout a child’s educational journey, and they should begin at home. Higher technical qualifications and universities go hand in hand in developing essential skills for the future for learners from all backgrounds. HTQs have been introduced to champion the quality available at levels 4 and 5, with qualifications that have been independently approved as providing the skills that employers need in specific occupations. They are helping to open up new opportunities for young people and are enabling adults to get the benefit of a university education. For example, Tarza undertook a level 5 HTQ in healthcare practice at Newcastle College university centre, and is now at the University of Sunderland completing her adult nursing bachelor’s. The HTQ at the university centre gave her the clinical skills she needed and allowed her to learn as a mature student, despite being out of education for so long beforehand. That is one example of many. The Government’s support for the future skills programmes at universities is a comprehensive and forward-thinking strategy designed to meet the evolving needs of the economy and society.

• 26 Feb 2025 · Future Skills Programmes: Universities · Hansard source

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  The hon. Member has pre-empted my next line: I am delighted in the steps that Kingston University has taken and is taking nationally and internationally. By implementing the post-16 education and skills strategy, reforming higher education, establishing Skills England and introducing the lifelong learning entitlement, we are laying the groundwork for a robust and dynamic skills system. Those initiatives will ensure that our educational institutions are not only centres of academic excellence, but hubs of innovation and practical training. They will provide individuals from all backgrounds with the opportunities they need to succeed, fostering a culture of lifelong learning and continuous development. As we move forward, it is essential that we continue to engage with all stakeholders, including educational providers, employers and learners to ensure that our strategies are effective and inclusive. Together, we can build a high-skill, high-productivity workforce that drives economic growth and social mobility, ensuring a prosperous future for all.

• 26 Feb 2025 · Future Skills Programmes: Universities · Hansard source

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  I thank the right hon. Member again for his tenacity, perseverance and pushiness—in the most polite way. Indeed, I will bring the invitation to the attention of the Secretary of State as well. Kingston University is doing some incredible and outstanding work, and that cannot be denied. Question put and agreed to.

• 26 Feb 2025 · Future Skills Programmes: Universities · Hansard source

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  It is an honour to serve under your chairship, Sir Desmond. I congratulate the right hon. Member for Kingston and Surbiton (Ed Davey) on securing a debate on the Government’s support for future skills programmes at universities. I also thank him for speaking positively and passionately about the excellent contribution of Kingston University and, in particular, its navigate, explore and apply programmes. I also want to acknowledge the interventions from the hon. Member for Strangford (Jim Shannon), my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham Hall Green and Moseley (Tahir Ali) and the hon. Member for Taunton and Wellington (Gideon Amos). I heard clearly the invite from the right hon. Member for Kingston and Surbiton, and although I will not commit my noble Friend Baroness Smith, the Minister for Skills, I will draw the invitation and the date of 18 June to her attention. It may surprise the right hon. Member that I undertook a post-qualifying course at Kingston University, so I can testify that it is one of the many outstanding universities in our country. I will set out the Government’s position in response to the right hon. Member. This debate addresses the need for our educational institutions to evolve and adapt to the demands of the modern workforce. By focusing on future skills, we aim to ensure that our universities are not only centres of academic excellence, but hubs of innovation and practical training. Doing so will equip our students with the necessary skills to thrive in an ever-changing global economy and drive the nation’s growth and prosperity. Skills are crucial to implementing the plan for change. This Government’s manifesto outlined our commitment to developing a comprehensive strategy for post-16 education and skills. Our aim is to dismantle barriers to opportunity, cultivate a skilled workforce and stimulate economic growth. This strategy will address how we can provide the skills our country requires, both now and in the future. Our objective is to establish a robust skills system in which everyone is empowered to succeed in life and work, with appropriate support for reskilling to adapt to the evolving economic landscape. That involves fostering a culture of lifelong learning, creating clear and coherent pathways for learners of all ages, and enhancing collaboration among skills partners within a framework of well-defined roles and responsibilities. We will release a vision paper for this strategy soon, and engage with all stakeholders across the system. A crucial element of the strategy is the reform of higher education, which will ensure that our universities play a pivotal role in supporting the development of future skills. By aligning higher education reforms with our broader skills strategy, we can create a cohesive and comprehensive approach to education and workforce development. As hon. Members will know, in November the Secretary of State announced five priorities for reform of the higher education system. We will expect our higher education providers, first, to play a stronger role in expanding access and improving outcomes for disadvantaged students; secondly, to make a stronger contribution to economic growth; thirdly, to play a greater civic role in their communities; fourthly, to raise the bar further on training standards to maintain and improve our world-leading reputation and drive out poor practice; and, finally, to drive a sustained efficiency and reform programme. The Government are committed to setting out a plan for reform of the higher education sector in the summer. Department for Education officials are currently working in partnership with the sector, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, UK Research and Innovation and the Office for Students to shape the changes to Government policy that will be needed to support that reform. Taken together, the changes will drive through reform in these areas, put our world-leading higher education sector on a more secure footing, and ensure that the sector is able to provide the skills required to deliver economic growth for the industrial strategy and support the wider change that the country needs in the years to come. In addition to higher education reform, the establishment of Skills England is a key component of our strategy. It was disappointing that the right hon. Member for Kingston and Surbiton and his party chose to vote against our transformation of the skills system yesterday, especially given the purpose of this debate. Skills England will play a crucial role in transforming our skills system, and will ensure that our workforce is equipped with the necessary skills to meet the demands of the modern economy. It is currently set up in shadow form within the Department for Education, and there are plans for it to be fully established in 2025. The Education Secretary has appointed Phil Smith CBE as its chair and Sir David Bell as its vice chair. Skills England will transform the skills system to make it truly world leading. It will help to build a high-skill, high-productivity workforce that is matched to employers’ needs to ensure that everyone, regardless of their background, can access the opportunities they need to thrive. Universities and colleges are already responding to the opportunities and challenges posed by artificial intelligence, and are considering those issues very seriously. Technology works best as a tool used by great teachers, and it is important to take a joined-up approach. Cheating of any kind is unacceptable. It threatens to undermine the reputation of our world-class higher education sector and devalues the hard work of those who succeed on their own merit. Through Skills England, the Government will build the highly trained workforce that employers need. That will drive economic growth and deliver the national, regional and local skills needs of the next decade. We are doing that because skills will play a critical and crucial role in the industrial strategy, driving growth through increased productivity and creating well-paid jobs, which increase opportunities for everyone.