Santander calls for government focus on leadership, digital, and sustainability skills to future-proof UK economy

Santander UK has urged the government to prioritise leadership, digital, and sustainability skills in its new National Plan for Skills to tackle the UK’s productivity crisis and prepare the workforce for the future.

In a newly published report, Tomorrow’s Skills, Santander highlights three major societal shifts—changing attitudes to work, the rise of AI, and the transition to Net Zero—that will impact the British workforce. The report calls for increased investment in training and upskilling to address these challenges.

The report reveals that UK workers are spending 20% less time on training than they did a decade ago, despite more than half acknowledging that they need to upskill to stay relevant in their roles. Barriers such as time constraints, costs, and lack of flexibility are preventing workers from accessing training, contributing to the country’s stagnant productivity levels. Moreover, 69% of workers expect to remain in the same field for their entire careers, and 72% believe their jobs will still exist in 10 years—indicating a lack of awareness of the potential impact of emerging technologies and societal changes.

Mike Regnier, CEO of Santander UK, stressed the importance of education and skills development, stating: “The UK cannot afford to fall behind in this critical area if we want our economy to grow and remain competitive.” He called on the government to focus its skills strategy on addressing three key areas:

Changing attitudes to work:

The rise of hybrid working has introduced new challenges for managers and leaders, with generational differences in attitudes towards remote work. While 65% of 25–34-year-olds view hybrid working positively for the UK economy, only 27% of 55–64-year-olds share this view.

The rise of AI:

As AI continues to transform industries, 63% of workers recognise the need for training around new technologies, while 47% of younger workers worry that AI could replace their jobs. Upskilling in AI and digital technologies is seen as essential for increasing productivity and future-proofing careers.

The transition to Net Zero:

As the UK moves towards its 2050 emissions targets, 58% of workers believe they will need new skills to adapt to their roles in a greener economy. The report highlights the importance of equipping workers with sustainability skills to support the Net Zero transition.

In response to these challenges, Santander has launched a new adult education programme in partnership with xUnlocked, Fearless Adventures, and House 337. The programme, available on Santander Open Academy, offers free, video-led training on green, digital, and leadership skills for people over 18. The aim is to help individuals and businesses prepare for the future by developing the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing economy.

Steph McGovern, presenter of The Rest is Money podcast and a business journalist, added her support for lifelong learning, saying: “As the needs of the economy change, so too should our attitude to learning. We should think of education as lifelong. We all need to adapt, but workers can’t do that on their own.”

Santander’s new initiative, combined with its call for government action, underscores the urgency of addressing the UK’s skills crisis. As the economy evolves, Santander’s focus on developing essential skills in leadership, digital technologies, and sustainability will be key to driving future productivity and ensuring the UK remains competitive on the global stage.

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Santander calls for government focus on leadership, digital, and sustainability skills to future-proof UK economy