Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has a planned timetable for the establishment of Skills England.

My right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister and my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education announced the establishment of Skills England on 22 July 2024, launching it in shadow form with immediate effect. Since then, it has made important progress towards becoming a fully-formed Arm’s Length Body, appointing Richard Pennycook as interim chair and beginning the process for appointing Board members, and forging early relationships with key partners across government and the skills system. Skills England will continue to be established in phases over the next 9 to 12 months, expanding its work and taking on its additional functions as its staffing is built up.