Study finds workforce failings could sink post-Brexit

The country’s future national prosperity is imperilled because a toxic cocktail of threats – including Brexit, automation and a shrinking skills base – risks squeezing the supply of native workers trained to do tomorrow’s jobs – a report from Localis has today warned.

In a paper published today entitled ‘In place of work – influencing local labour markets’ the study authors estimated that just under half of England’s local labour markets have an above-average level of jobs risk due to a post-Brexit migration squeeze; around half have an above average risk to the increased automation of jobs; and just more than half have an above-average risk arising from a low skills base.

Chairman of the County Councils Network (CCN), Cllr Paul Carter, said: “Counties have intimate knowledge of their local economies, both public and private sectors, but have been hamstrung by a ‘one size fits’ all skills agenda. Government must hone and unleash this potential in rural areas by creating strategic authorities, led by the county authority.

“County authorities have the ambition, size, and expertise to engineer real change in their local skills market, but are shackled by a lack of powers. Let’s embrace the art of the possible – this new approach would be good for business and good for residents.”