“This timely report highlights how vital it is that our education and training system adapts to a changing jobs market, which means giving young people access to both technical and academic choices and adults access to retraining and upskilling opportunities. This will help foster inclusive economies and start to close our growing skills gaps.

“Councils and combined authorities play a critical role in their communities, working with local and national partners, to both understand employer skills demand and put in place measures to ensure this is met through targeted engagement and delivery of a relevant, flexible, local offer.

“The Government’s upcoming National Retraining Scheme will be important in addressing our growing national and local skills gaps, but it must be part of a place-based policy approach.

“Ensuring the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and the forthcoming Local Industrial Strategies are adequately resourced, have sufficient devolution and local commissioning, and an ability to target provision to support inclusive growth and productivity will also be critical to achieving this goal and meeting the needs of our changing economy.”

#CouncilsCan: Spending Review 2019

With the right funding and powers, councils can continue to lead local areas, improve residents’ lives, reduce demand for public services and save money for the taxpayer. Securing the financial sustainability of local services must be the top priority for the Spending Review.

Find out more

Resolution Foundation Report: Pick up the pace: the slowdown in educational attainment growth and its widespread effects