Draft Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (Adult Education Functions) Order 2018 Draft Tees Valley Combined Authority (Adult Education Functions) Order 2018

Louise Ellman Excerpts

Tuesday 16th October 2018 General Committees

[Dame Louise Ellman (Liverpool, Riverside) (Lab/Co-op)]

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Hanson. I support the comments of my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool South, who has raised the essential elements of the deal in relation to Merseyside’s needs. Liverpool and the wider Merseyside area has made great strides recently, but one aspect that holds it back is the lack of relevant skills and the underachievement of so many people in the area. I welcome the measure, which is part of the solution and an important part of the devolution deal.

I would draw attention to two key elements that need to be considered further. First, there needs to be a comprehensive approach in relation to education and skills. Although the devolution agreement is developing in this way, it must relate to Government support and encouragement of new thinking and new initiatives.

Secondly, and related to that, European funding has been absolutely key to Liverpool’s regeneration in the last 20 years, and is still highly relevant. If that funding is threatened, there needs to be a proper replacement that is focused on the needs of the Liverpool City Region, and that does not just disappear into national Government coffers to be used elsewhere. With those caveats, I welcome these measures. This is a positive way forward and part of Liverpool’s continued recovery, enabling people to have the skills to meet the needs of the economy now and for the future, and ending the dreadful underachievement of so many citizens of our area.