Member

Amendment 15 would create delay by postponing the commencement of the majority of the Act’s provisions for one year from the date on which Skills England is formally established. That would pause both the transfer of functions from IfATE to the Secretary of State and IfATE’s closure. As I suggested earlier, this amendment would frustrate and delay the transition to Skills England, when I have seen strong support from noble Lords for its work and comments about the need to ensure that it has the impact that everybody has argued for. Peers expressed concern about delay in Committee because of potential damage to the skills agenda during the interim period. Delaying the commencement of provisions would prolong existing confusion and fragmentation, to the detriment of employers, learners and the economy. Furthermore, the amendment would remove control over the exact date on which commencement of the different provisions would occur to an arbitrary, unclear date.