Chief executive of BSRIA, Julia Evans, has responded to the Chancellor’s 2017 Spring Budget.

She said: “In what he confirmed to be the last Spring Budget, Chancellor Philip Hammond has said there can be ‘no room for complacency’ as Britain prepares to leave the EU. This Budget is a ground-breaking one for skills which is welcomed by BSRIA. There has never been a more critical time for the UK to be able to sit at the worldwide ‘top table’ of technical education for young people.”

She continued: “BSRIA is especially pleased to learn that £300m has been earmarked to support 1,000 new PhD places and fellowships in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects.

“The introduction of ‘T-levels’ is encouraging. Government will increase by more than 50 per cent the number of programme hours of training for 16-19 year olds on technical routes to more than 900 hours a year on average. This includes the completion of a high quality three-month industry work placement.”

Ms Evans added: “The announcement of maintenance loans to students on technical education courses is also good news. There is a real need to attract more young people into the construction industry with new skills, so today’s Budget is a refreshed start in addressing this.

Naturally, BSRIA members and industry will be looking for a continuing partnership with government as it attempts to make the apprenticeship levy work with the drive toward delivery of three million apprenticeships to start by 2020.”