TUC welcomes restoration of Union Learning Fund

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has welcomed the Government’s decision to restore the Union Learning Fund, which provides workplace training and upskilling opportunities.

The fund, which was established in 1998 and scrapped in 2021, supported union members and non-members to gain qualifications in areas including English, maths and information and communications technology (ICT).

The TUC said that, if learning was delivered at rates previously achieved by the fund, around 180,000 workers could benefit each year, with between 400,000 and 550,000 learning opportunities supported over three years.

Previous independent analysis cited by the TUC found that, when the scheme received £12m a year in funding in 2019, it generated a long-term return on investment (ROI) of £12.87 for every £1 spent and a return to the Exchequer of £3.60.

A 2016 evaluation also found 80% of learners believed union learning had provided skills useful in their current job, while 62% said it helped them perform their job better.

Paul Nowak, general secretary of the TUC, said: “Restoring the Union Learning Fund is plain common sense and a real boost for workers, businesses and the economy.

“Britain is being held back by a persistent skills crisis.

“But we know the problem isn’t a lack of talent – it’s years of underinvestment in the skills workers need to adapt to a rapidly changing jobs market, especially with the increased adoption of AI.”