The government and the Commission have finally provided their responses to the important House of Lords enquiry into ESF, giving many clues as to what can be expected for the remainder of the current programme and what might follow.

Taking each of the Lords’ recommendations in turn, the government’s response firmly places ESF in the forefront of measures to bring those furthest from the labour market back towards work, but also confirms its role in building a green economy. There is encouragement for greater participation from the voluntary and community sector, and reaffirmation of the value of ESF as a key policy tool – but in the context of Europe’s overall need to consolidate public finances.

Meanwhile the Commission is happy to see the Lords’ endorsement of ESF’s role in expressing solidarity across Europe, and reinforces the link to Europe 2020. ESF’s long-term future will emerge as part of the budget review getting under way this autumn, and both responses give important clues as to the issues which are going to be on the table.

Watch our interview with Baroness Howarth, under whose chairmanship the Lords’ report was produced, for insights into the key issues and recommendations. The report is likely to be debated in the House of Lords later in the autumn, and ESF-Works will be there to bring you the results.