MP for Brentford and Isleworth Ruth Cadbury has backed a plan to help counter the falling rates of apprenticeships and training in West London. 

In Brentford and Isleworth, the number of apprenticeships has declined by 21% in the last decade. 

In an attempt to reverse this downward trend, Cadbury has backed a plan to turn the existing apprenticeship levy into a 'Growth and Skills Levy', giving employers greater flexibility in how funding is allocated, helping them to fill skill gaps and allowing for greater training for those on the schemes. 

Cadbury said: "For over twelve years the Government have been letting down local young people, those looking for new roles and businesses here by falling to invest in skills and training. 

''It's shocking that despite the hard work of our businesses and schools locally that there's been a fall of over 20% in the number of apprenticeships locally. 

''I know from listening to apprentices locally that it can be a life-changing difference for them. They get to learn a skill; they get experience of a workplace and they get to meet new people. 

''Good apprenticeships can make a huge difference and the Government should be doing more to create them across West London.'' 

As part of a wider reform, Cadbury is also backing the creation of a new skills taskforce to take the initiative on delivering the skills that companies will require in the coming decade, doing this through decentralising power and giving control to communities to provide people with the skills needed in those areas. 

Toby Perkins MP, Shadow Skills Minister for the Official Opposition, said: "Boosting in skills and training opportunities will be essential to meeting the economic challenges we face and enabling people at every stage of their lives to learn, retrain and progress at work. 

"This plan builds on our commitment to embed essential digital and life-skills across the school curriculum, and ensure all young people receive professional careers advice and work experience so they leave education ready for work and for life."