A training specialist says the UK lockdown could help people improve their job prospects.

PHX Training, which has centres in Workington, Carlisle and Barrow, is offering free online courses.

Offered as part of the Government’s adult education budget, the courses cover functional skills qualifications in English, maths up to GCSE level two , IT, customer service, retail, business admin, work skills, health and social care and warehousing.

Briony Fawcett, managing director of PHX Training, said: “This offer is a constructive way to use the time many people may have on their hands at the moment whether they are currently in employment or out of work.

"They will be equipping themselves as good prospective employees for now and the longer term.

“Employers should also consider it for those employees who would benefit from this training as a way of upskilling during this time.

“For many parents, it may even be useful to see how these core skills in English and maths are taught and to pick up some technical points they may have forgotten to then pass as they home school their children.

"All courses come with accredited qualifications and can done from the comfort of your own home with a dedicated tutor on a one-to-one basis.”

PHX Training delivers government-backed initiatives, adult skills, those not in education, employment or training, apprenticeships and work-based learning programmes.

It also has centres in Morecambe, Preston and Blackpool.