Skills devolution in England

A number of the devolution deals negotiated between the Government and local areas between 2014 and 2017 included elements of devolution of skills policy. These included transferring the Adult Education Budget and the Apprenticeship Grant for Employers (which is now closed) to mayoral combined authorities. Additional details about this process can be found in the Library briefing paper Devolution to local government in England.

There have been calls for local areas to have some powers over apprenticeship provision, including the use of unspent funds generated by the apprenticeship levy. The levy was introduced in April 2017, along with other major reforms to the apprenticeship funding system in England in May 2017. A detailed explanation is provided in the Library’s briefing paper on Apprenticeships policy in England: 2017.