Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, which responsibilities of (a) the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education and (b) other bodies she plans to transfer to the proposed new body, Skills England.

Skills England will bring together employers, education and training providers and unions with national and combined authorities to ensure that national and regional skills systems are meeting the needs and supporting delivery of the government’s Growth Mission.

Skills England will be established in phases over the next 9 to 12 months to create a responsive and collaborative skills system.

The route for employers to shape skills training is currently offered by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE). The Skills England Bill will transfer relevant functions from IfATE to my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, in the first instance, to ensure that Skills England can be developed and have the necessary functions in the coming months. IfATE will continue its important work in the interim as the transition of functions to Skills England is finalised. Further details will be shared as plans for legislation are developed.