Ufi Public Affairs Officer, Josh Smith, comments on the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s 2021 Budget and Spending Review

"At Ufi’s we champion the power of technology to improve skills for work and deliver better outcomes for all and it was great to see, in the 2021 Budget and Spending Review, the Chancellor of the Exchequer going some way to financially and digitally backing the Government’s commitment to tackling the UK’s skills crisis. Given the scale of the challenge, more investment will certainly be needed, but the recognition, funding and support that has been offered so far is to be welcomed.

As a core part of Ufi’s work we support amazing organisations, like National Numeracy, that continue to demonstrate the power of digital technology in widening access and tackling key skills challenges that hold the UK back. As a passionate believer in the importance of adult numeracy, we were delighted to hear the Chancellor’s announcement of the ‘Multiply’ initiative, powered by a digital technology and with £560 million in funding, it will hopefully support the whole of the UK in developing adult numeracy skills through flexible courses and an online platform.

We are keen to see all policy makers, across the four nations, championing the power of innovative technology in improving adult vocational education. We know that the very best vocational technology, or VocTech, developed and deployed in a way that supports learners and teachers can play a critical role in addressing long-term skills shortages."