Tom Stannard observes that Britain’s skills levels must improve if we are to remain competitive.

Outside the big news of party leadership elections and the impending conference season, think-tanks and lobby groups galore have been busy over the summer making submissions to the Treasury on the Comprehensive Spending Review.

The Local Government Association (LGA) called for better integration of social care and health, making the case for further devolution of powers and funding for the promotion of growth and productivity, and notably for four-year funding settlements and substantial business rates reform.