The Prime Minister has outlined plans to transform the training and skills system to help the country recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

Under the plans, adults without an A-Level or equivalent qualification will be offered a free college course.

Higher education loans will also be made more flexible to allow courses to be taken in segments.

Cllr Kevin Bentley, chairman of the Local Government Association’s People & Places Board, said: ‘Using the National Skills Fund to fund this is a step in the right direction. Flexible loans will be helpful for some, but may not be the best way of encouraging adults to go back into learning.

’Retraining must be supported by a good mix of local providers including colleges, independent training providers, and council-run adult education centres, which can join up and offer a clear pathway to further learning and work.’

The Government is also committing £8m for digital skills boot camps, which will be extended to sectors like construction and engineering from next year.

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