Gordon Brown backs Usdaw's Lifelong Learning initiative

Gordon Brown today backed shopworkers union Usdaw’s innovative Lifelong Learning scheme that has given 10,000 retail staff a chance to boost their basic skills.

The Chancellor was speaking to 1,500 delegates at the union’s annual conference in Blackpool and pledged Labour will back unions that offer training programmes to workers the education system can’t reach.

“We will build on the success of the Union Learning Fund,” Gordon Brown told delegates. “We’ll create a new TUC academy and offer more support for union learning as we forge a strong and lasting partnership for skills with trade unions and employers across Britain.”

“We are now taking the lead in equipping workers with the skills they need for the jobs of the future and creating the first national employer training programme so that employees will get time off for free training.”

Usdaw General Secretary John Hannett welcomed the Chancellor’s commitment to reaching out to the thousands of retail workers let down by the education system when the Tories were last in power.

“Lifelong Learning is our flagship education programme which has given thousands of our members the chance to strengthen their basic skills and career prospects,” John Hannett said. “It was encouraging to hear Gordon commit a Labour government to boosting the Union Learning Fund that has done so much to make Britain’s retail sector the best in the world. That means we can offer staff targeted training opportunities that work for our members and their employers."

“Contrast that with the Tories who have promised to scrap the learning fund to try and plug a small hole in their plans to slash £35 billion from public spending. Our Lifelong Learning courses are cost effective and reach people who left school with few qualifications - most of whom were let down by Michael Howard when he was last in government.”

The Chancellor also praised Usdaw's national parents and carers campaign which is designed to raise the issue of flexible working and increase basic rights for those who look after children or sick relatives.

“It was particularly pleasing to hear the Chancellor talk about eradicating poverty in a generation and, as a union that represents thousands of low paid workers, we welcome his commitment to increase family tax credits and offer thousands more free nursery places.”

"More money in our members’ pockets and better childcare will help create a proper work/life balance.”

Notes to Editors:

• Contacts for newsdesks: Usdaw’s Media Officer, Paul Clarke, can be contacted on 0161 224 2804 or at paul.clarke@usdaw.org.uk.

• Usdaw (the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK’s fifth biggest trade union, with over 340,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.

• More information and news releases are available at our online Newsroom.

• Journalists can subscribe to receive Usdaw news releases via our online e-news service.

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