Dan Peters 09 October 2023

London Councils eyes apprenticeship levy devolution

London Councils eyes apprenticeship levy devolution image
Image: Monkey Business Images / Shutterstock.com.

London Councils has named securing devolution of the apprenticeship levy to its boroughs to fund skills and employment activity as a key short-term priority.

A report to the latest meeting of London Councils’ leaders’ committee said the current rules and restrictions over the low-profile levy - a tax paid by employers with annual payrolls of £3m or more at a rate of 0.5% above that threshold - meant it was ‘not being used as effectively as it could be’.

Bromley LBC’s portfolio holder for renewal, recreation and housing, Yvonne Bear, said: ‘Devolving the apprenticeship levy to each local authority would give more flexibility (including being able to use the levy to support the apprentice’s salary) and would consequently be better than the current rigid/inflexible arrangement.’

Chief executive of think-tank Localis, Jonathan Werran, added: ‘What this could achieve as a policy goal is to equalise skills provision across the country in the hope of attracting footloose companies to invest in left behind areas.

‘Devolving the apprenticeship levy, which hasn’t, to date, fulfilled its original intentions and promise, would put the onus on metro mayors and local leaders to ensure the best use of local expenditure to galvanise the skills agenda.

To continue reading visit The MJ (£).

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Director of Law & Governance

South Kesteven District Council
c. £110k inc.
Effective decision-making in local government leads to better outcomes for communities. Lincolnshire
Recuriter: South Kesteven District Council

Regeneration Manager

West Northamptonshire Council
£65,098 - £71,353
The Major Projects and Regeneration Team, part of our Place, Economy and Environment directorate, is at the heart of delivering this vision. Working with government, private sector partners and our local communities, we are driving forward projects funded One Angel Square 4 Angel Street Northampton
Recuriter: West Northamptonshire Council

Director of Streetscene

Fareham Borough Council
£92,027 - £105,394 (Director Grade) Pay award pending
We continue to have big ambitions for our borough Fareham, Hampshire
Recuriter: Fareham Borough Council

Shared Lives Social Worker

Oxfordshire County Council
£37,035 - £43,693
About the Role Your role will be working with Shared Lives Carers and people who use the service to ensure that there is a good outcome for everyone. Assessing people for their suitability to become carers, presenting assessment reports to the Shared Live Abingdon with some agile working/working from home
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Lawyer Employment

Durham County Council
£45,718 to £49,764 p.a. (Grade 13) pay award pending
An opportunity for an Employment Lawyer has become available to work at Durham County Council as part of the Legal and Democratic Services Team. Durh Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner