The Financial Times today reports that pilot schemes to test out a replacement for the ILAs are expected to be announced in the next Budget. The pilots were proposed in the last pre-Budget report.

These schemes are likely to be focussed more on people with few skills, who will be offered up to 100% of training costs, and may gain a statutory right to time off for training. The government is planning to pay more than the value of the time lost to employers, in order to gain their co-operation.