Commons Education Committee chairwoman Helen Hayes also warned that without setting up Skills England in law, “the Secretary of State and future secretaries of state can make fundamental changes to Skills England or indeed close it down without the consent of Parliament”.
Ms Phillipson said the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) (Transfer of Functions etc) Bill will pave the way for a new “system that supports everyone”.
Ms Trott warned the Government’s proposals to abolish the IfATE will mean Ms Phillipson “has carte blanche to do whatever she likes” with further education.
Speaking in the Commons, Ms Phillipson said: “The skills gaps that we face in our country – they deny people the opportunity, the power, the freedom to choose the life that they live.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has pledged to tackle “chronic” skills shortages and provide a range of pathways for young people.
