“The government has recognised how vital it is to improve the skills system and has set out an ambitious plan. Sadly, that plan is doomed to fail until the ambition is matched by investment. As more people retire, and uncertainty, demography and migration controls reduce the numbers joining the workforce, it’s vital that we get this right. The government is pinning its hopes on its flagship policy, T Levels, but as our analysis shows, it is impossible to deliver them, even at maximum efficiencies. Government needs to listen to those it is asking to deliver them. Colleges are saying clearly that as much as they want to deliver them, they cannot. As the Chancellor well knows, there is a cost to not investing in skills - our conservative estimate is that cost amounts to at least £3.3 billion over the next five years - as well as the intangible costs to individuals and communities.”