SKILLS GAP, PAID EDUCATIONAL LEAVE AND ARTICLE 15 OF THE EUROPEAN SOCIAL CHAPTER

Early day motion 498, tabled 28 March 2001 by David Chaytor (Labour). Signed by 57 members.

That this House is deeply concerned about the social and economic implications of a widening skills gap in the United Kingdom; notes the recent report of the National Advisory Council for Education and Training Targets which concluded that 'a third of our population is simply not educated to anything like the standard required in a modern economy'; further notes the third report of the National Skills Taskforce which concludes that 'the trailing edge of poorly qualified adults... are least likely to receive training from their employer'; congratulates the Government on its actions to date in implementing the principles contained in the European Social Chapter and improving the lives of millions of unskilled workers; and calls on the Government to respond to Article 15 of the European Social Chapter by presenting plans for a national minimum entitlement to paid educational leave for all employees.

Signatures by party: Labour 42, Liberal Democrat 9, Labour/Co-operative 4, Plaid Cymru 1, UUP 1.