VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Further Education: Finance

Asked by Wendy MortonConservativeDepartment for EducationTabled Answered 20 May 2026UIN 1162

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the impact of further education funding pressures on skills shortages in the West Midlands; and what discussions she has had with mayoral combined authorities and local employers on workforce shortages in construction, engineering and health and social care.

Answered by Josh MacAlister

Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) bring together employers, education providers, and other local partners to identify and address key skills needs in an area. In the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) the LSIP is led by the Coventry Chamber of Commerce. The WMCA sets out sector skills priorities, which inform the LSIP currently being developed for the area. The LSIP is due to be published this summer.

The WMCA also has devolved responsibility for the Adult Skills Fund and delivers priority skills in the region for adults in line with its Integrated Settlement Outcomes Framework, published this May.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim