Scrapping Union Learning Fund would “place partisan politics over sensible policymaking”, firefighters say.
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has joined the TUC in calling on the government to reverse its decision to scrap funding for a lifelong learning programme, allowing retiring and injured firefighters to expand their skills and employment prospects.
The new campaign, Save Union Learning, launched by the TUC aims to persuade the government to drop proposals to end the Union Learning Fund (ULF).
Each £1 spent on the FBU’s project generates £6.93 for learners and £2.63 for employers, leading to £2 in returns to the Exchequer. The total annual economic contribution of the project is in excess of £32.7m, giving the Treasury £9.4m back from its £4.7m spend. The FBU’s Union Learning Fund project is “one of the most effective programmes allowing workers to expand their skillset”, the FBU says, with a “lucrative return on investment” for the Treasury.
Learners are able to benefit from a range of programmes covering subjects including fitness and nutrition, digital skills, and health and social care. A study by the University of Essex showed that access to the programme increases wages by £16.5m and earnings by £3.7m, while increased productivity benefits employers by around £12.4m.
Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said:
“At a time when the country is on the brink of mass unemployment, and when ministers themselves are talking about the need for upskilling and retraining, it would be ludicrous to cut one of the most effective programmes allowing workers to expand their skillset.
“For twenty-two years, the Union Learning Fund has provided crucial training and guidance to thousands of firefighters. For injured and retiring firefighters, it’s a vital means of gaining new skills with courses offered in digital skills, health and social care, and fitness and nutrition.
“The programme makes life changing improvements to learner’s income and huge productivity benefits for employers, all while providing a lucrative return on investment for the Treasury.
“Scrapping the fund would blatantly place partisan politics over sensible policymaking and the needs of the economy. If the government has any care for the needs of working people, they’ll reverse this decision immediately.”
