Leitch must be supported by policy to help poorest access skills and training

Commenting on today’s publication of Lord Leitch’s Review of Skills for HM Treasury, Child Poverty Action Group’s Chief Executive, Kate Green, said:

“Lord Leitch has set out some important proposals which the Government must ensure are fully supported by social policy. Growing up in poverty is closely linked to leaving school without qualifications, so the Chancellor must find the additional £4 billion needed to halve child poverty by 2010. Schools must also be rewarded for improving the poorest performing pupils, instead of excluding them to improve the school’s results.

“We welcome what Leitch says about the role of employers. The Government must help and encourage employers to make training pledges to unskilled workers by ensuring investment in training follows unskilled workers into a job. This could help many families out of the in-work poverty trap by giving them the skills to progress onto higher wages.

“Lord Leitch’s proposals for integrated employment and skills services should link up with the New Deal for Families called for in the recent Harker report, so that barriers such as child care requirements, workplace confidence and training costs can be addressed.”

For further information please contact:
Tim Nichols
CPAG Press Officer
Tel. 020 7812 5216 or 07816 909302
press@cpag.org.uk