ECA responds to Budget

Following the latest Budget – which was presented by the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, on 30 October 2024 – Andrew Eldred, ECA’s Chief Operating Officer, issued the following statement:

“ECA welcomes the Chancellor’s commitment to invest in industry, housing and electric transport; along with her commitment to refocus levy funding away from Masters’ degrees towards trade apprenticeships, as announced earlier this year. These steps align with our call for a skills system that delivers on the practical needs of integrating green technologies for net zero.

“However, this budget lacks crucial detail on how it will support skills access for smaller firms, which make up 99% of the electrical contracting sector. These businesses will now also carry the higher burden of Employer National Insurance and higher apprentice costs.

“As outlined in our Charter to Recharge Electrical Skills, a system responsive to local and future demand is essential, as is industry’s role in shaping pathways and qualifications that lead directly to employability. Robust support for green skills is critical to preparing a workforce that can meet the demands of the net zero transition, and we urge government collaboration with industry to close regional gaps and build a strong, skilled talent pipeline.”

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The post ECA responds to Budget first appeared on Electrical Contracting News.

The post ECA responds to Budget appeared first on Electrical Contracting News.