Small and medium size businesses are the backbone of our economy. In my own constituency of Stretford and Urmston, SMEs bring life and variety to our high streets and our community.
As we work to secure our economy and rebuild after this pandemic, we must ensure that SMEs have access to the skilled workers and training programmes they need to grow and develop. Policies such as the apprenticeships levy need to support SMEs, ensuring they are able to use funds to take on apprentices, supporting young people and older workers to gain new skills, learn a trade and progress at work. Labour’s approach to lifelong learning recognises that as businesses innovate and develop, their workers must have the flexibility to train and retrain throughout their lives, ensuring continual access to a highly trained workforce that is equipped to take on the jobs of the future.
We are very fortunate that Labour has built strong relationships with SMEs through SME4Labour and I look forward to working with you to ensure that the needs and interests of SMEs are at the heart of our skills-based recovery.
Kate Green
Labour member of parliament for Stretford and Urmston
Shadow secretary of state for education