Skills at the heart of welfare crucial but so too are assurances on training quality and cost

Commenting on the joint paper released today by the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills, David Frost, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said:

"Putting skills at the heart of welfare is a crucial part of reforming a benefits system which is failing to incentivise people to move off the dole and into employment.

"Whilst we support the principle behind offering unqualified people specific training funds, lessons must be learnt from the failings of the old Individual Learning Accounts. There needs to be assurances that the training provision is high quality and able to secure good results. There also needs to be an effective system of monitoring where the money is going before the first pound is even handed over."

Ends

Media Contacts:

Fiona Cunningham
Tel: 020 7654 5812
Email: f.cunningham@britishchambers.org.uk

OR

Sam Turvey
Tel: 020 7654 5813
Email: s.turvey@britishchambers.org.uk

Notes to Editors:

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is the National Voice of Local Business.
The BCC sits at the heart of a powerful nationwide network of Accredited Chambers of Commerce serving business across the UK, which employ over five million people.