Commenting on today’s (Thursday) announcement from the Welsh government of £13 million in public funds for union learning in Wales over the next three years, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“The funding is great news for working people in Wales. Union learning is popular with employers, it can propel people into more rewarding work on higher pay, and it has excelled in every evaluation.

“But workers in England are set to miss out as the Westminster government has cut all funding for union learning, despite its success.

“Participation in learning and skills at work is at an all-time low, at a time when it’s never been needed more. Everyone knows we need to invest in skills to come out of the pandemic and cope with the major changes across the economy. The Westminster government should restore the Union Learning Fund in England as soon as possible.”