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Leitch Review of Skills | A copy of Personnel Today comes in handy

Strolling down to parliament yesterday to watch MPs grill Lord Leitch about his hugely influential report on the nation's skills, I wasn't sure what to expect.

What could politicians in the Innovation and Skills Select Committee possibly want to know about the Leitch Review of Skills that they didn't know already - the report's been published for well over a year and a fair chunk of it has by now been made government policy.

Whatever it was, Leitch made sure he was well prepared: he turned up with a special copy of Personnel Today published earlier this year which highlighted the role employers have in improving skills.

"I use that as a reference point," he told me as I sat down to interview him afterwards.

And sure enough, he handed a page about sector skills councils to one of his colleagues before the committee began.

But once the committee was in full swing, it soon became clear that MPs were doutbful about the report itself. Some were questioning whether skills were really linked to economic growth, and asking Leitch for some "earthy evidence" this was the case. Others weren't sure the long list of targets set out in the review was the most appropriate way of addressing skills shortages.

No sooner was Leitch defending his entire report and recommendations that the parliament alarm bell went off signalling a 'division in the house'.

Off all the MPs scurried to go and vote on some Bill - but by the time they got back the House of Lords also warned a division on their floor.

"Does that mean I can leave to go and vote in the Lords?" Leitch quipped.

"No," a number of MPs jibed.

Louisa Peacock |

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