Usdaw welcomes a new fully funded, modern Union Learning Fund fit for England

Joanne Thomas - Usdaw general secretary says: “Trade unions have always played a key role in educating members, improving their confidence and allowing them to progress in all areas of their lives. Helping members to gain essential skills in English, Maths and ICT, to build their careers through courses on CV writing and interview skills. Trade union learning reps reach the workers others cannot, often bringing members back into education for the first time since leaving school.

“Lifelong learning benefits not just the individuals, but their employers too. When the Tory Government made the shameful decision to scrap the fund for England, many of the employers that Usdaw works with publicly lobbied the Government to change the decision. A shameful decision that was made against the interests of working people, the economy and the interests of employers.

“So, we very much welcome the Chancellor’s announcement to reverse that decision, which is long overdue. We now look forward to working with the Government on the reintroduction of union-led lifelong learning in England and the renewal of the trade union studies element of adult education. By providing education to workers, we can win for workers.”