Chancellor backs young people into work by supporting jobs
The Chancellor announced £15 million annually to restore the Union Learning Fund and £100 million over two years to expand apprenticeship brokerage across England, aiming to create 130,000 jobs by 2030.
The Chancellor unveiled a £15 million annual boost to restore the Union Learning Fund in England, enabling working people to access new skills training through employers and existing programmes. The fund, previously generating 180,000 learning opportunities yearly, will support essential skills like English, maths, and digital literacy, as well as training for roles in advanced manufacturing and AI-related fields. Employees will not need union membership to benefit from the expanded support.
A £100 million investment over two years will expand apprenticeship brokerage services across all 14 Mayoral Strategic Authorities in England, starting in Spring 2027. Led by directly elected mayors, the initiative aims to match young people with local employers, doubling the number of areas providing these services. The government states this will deliver thousands more youth apprenticeships, aligning training with local labour market needs.
The National Wealth Fund will support 130,000 jobs across the UK by 2030, targeting sectors including AI, technology, defence, and clean energy. Rolls-Royce is contributing £300 million to modernise its UK manufacturing and engineering facilities, with significant investments in Derby, Bristol, Glasgow, and Rotherham. These upgrades will support over 14,500 employees and expand production of critical components like turbine blades.
The Chancellor also confirmed full funding for training and assessment costs for all eligible apprentices aged 16 to 24, alongside a £3,000 Youth Jobs Grant. The government aims to establish strategic authorities nationwide by the end of 2028, with savings from the Department for Work & Pensions covering the apprenticeship brokerage expansion and Union Learning Fund restoration.