Report

Skills Evidence Review

This report from UK think tank City-REDI summarises skills policy across the UK, focusing on devolution, local skills ecosystems, and the role of higher and further education in supporting skills development.

This evidence review summarises skills policy across the UK, focusing on devolution, local skills ecosystems, and the role of higher and further education in supporting skills development. It draws key learnings from several place-based interventions related to skills, highlighting effective strategies for addressing local and regional skills challenges, such as skills shortages and skills underutilisation.

Key findings illuminate the importance of aligning skills development with local economic requirements, the impact of fragmented governance and inconsistent devolution across the UK on local policy innovation, and the need for targeted interventions to address spatial disparities.

The government can advance devolution with clearly defined powers for local skills policy, while policymakers, local authorities, educational institutions, and businesses work together to build capacity for integrated planning and develop place-specific strategies. Strengthening collaboration among these stakeholders is important for addressing local skills challenges and driving sustainable growth.

This report is for the Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) Hub, which seeks to address nationwide issues through local partnerships and places.