To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he has taken under the Social Care Workforce Strategy to promote the Train to Gain initiative to social care providers in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. (277083)

We are very keen that Train to Gain is utilised and promoted to the social care sector as it has benefited the adult social care sector significantly. There has been a marked increase in those completing training and academic awards over the last three years with nearly 25,000 social care employees achieving a new qualification through Train to Gain.

We are doing more to support employers’ access to Train to Gain funding by providing a brokerage service via Skills for Care to mediate between Train to Gain, employers and individuals in the sector. This brokerage role is key to enabling increased access to funding.