The Government’s future skills system is a more complicated combination of local and national initiatives. Small businesses broadly welcomed individual reforms but highlighted that they lack a clear route into the system. Skills England’s focus on data and dashboards, combined with limited SME engagement in its governance and development, risks entrenching these challenges rather than resolving them. Without clearer signposting and more meaningful involvement of small businesses, SMEs will no...

The Government’s future skills system is a more complicated combination of local and national initiatives. Small businesses broadly welcomed individual reforms but highlighted that they lack a clear route into the system. Skills England’s focus on data and dashboards, combined with limited SME engagement in its governance and development, risks entrenching these challenges rather than resolving them. Without clearer signposting and more meaningful involvement of small businesses, SMEs will not be effectively supported to fill their skills gaps and grow. (Conclusion, Paragraph 114) Type: conclusion | Number: 28 | Response status: response_pending