Features - Page 12

Business secretary Grant Shapps has said that the government’s new plans to mitigate the impact of industrial action will provide a “minimum safety level” and “restore the balance between those seeking to strike and protecting the public from disproportionate disruption”.

TOBS Consultancy's Adwoa Owusu-Banahene sees the government's recent skills and education legislation as a huge opportunity, but highlights that an integrated approach will be needed to deliver the most effective outcomes.

Marketing agency Delivered Social has launched a new initiative known as Recession Rebellion to help business through the cost-of-living crisis.

In his first speech of the New Year, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has set out his priorities for government that would deliver a “decade of national renewal” should his party be successful at the next general election.

In a wide-ranging speech, prime minister Rishi Sunak has set out five key pledges to deliver for the British public ahead of the next general election.

Tradeforce Gas & Heating founder Michael Charalambous says that more concerted efforts must be made to change young people's attitudes toward industry if the UK skills gap is to be addressed.

Dave Radley, owner and founder of DMR Training & Consultancy, analyses government plans for Local Skills Improvement Plans [LSIPs] and warns that a robust accountability framework will be vital for their enforcement.

In a letter leaked online by the News Agents podcast, culture secretary Michelle Donelan has advised prime minister Rishi Sunak against privatising Channel 4.

DPI UK co-founder Sandra Wiggins shares her view that the education sector still places too much value on academia over technical skills, emphasising that this approach must change if the UK's skills gap is to be closed.

Stoneleigh Timber Engineering boss Adrian Hall shares his view that the state education system is not 'one size fits all' in terms of skills provision and that there is room for other forms of 'education' to help plug the shortfall.

Kingsfleet managing director Colin Low highlights that successfully levelling up the regions of the UK will require a focus on improving education.

Janet Jack, the CEO of the Institute of Accountants and Bookkeepers, highlights that there will need to be sufficient political will and investment to deliver on the objectives of levelling up.

Paul Newsham, partner at RfM Accountants + More, shares his view that government failings have seen private investors take the lead on levelling up outside of London and ministers ought to take note of their example.

NOCN's Graham Hasting-Evans analyses the Skills & Post-16 Education Act, highlighting that there is little detail on how the government intends to deliver the green and digitised workforce required for the net-zero economy.