Centre for Cities, in partnership with the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), hosted a panel discussion focussing on the impact of the UK’s skills deficit on productivity and the role of skills in reducing regional inequality.

Data published in May by the ONS found that for the first time since records began, there are more job vacancies in the UK than there are unemployed workers, with vacancies hitting 1.3 million. The causes of this include older workers leaving the labour market following the pandemic and the impact of reduced high-skilled migration into the UK, but also key to this is a discrepancy between the existing skills of the workforce and those required from businesses – addressing this skills deficit has been identified as one of the 12 guiding missions under the government’s levelling up agenda.

Using the construction industry as a case study, the panel explored the role of skills in tackling regional inequalities, how employers can contribute to improving skills, and how Labour intends to close the skills gap.

Speakers were:

Joanne Anderson, Mayor of Liverpool

Toby Perkins MP, Shadow Minister for Education

Cllr Eamonn O’Brien, Leader of Bury Council and portfolio holder for Education, Skills, Work, Appreniceships and Digital at Greater Manchester Combined Authority

Craig Battye, Trustee, CIOB

Chair: Andrew Carter, Chief Executive, Centre for Cities

Sponsor: