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Education (Extension of Duty to Provide Careers Guidance) Bill - Clause 1 - Extension of duty to provide careers guidance in schools
14 January 2022
Lead MP
Christopher Chope
Debate Type
Bill Debate
Tags
No tags
Other Contributors: 28
At a Glance
Christopher Chope raised concerns about education (extension of duty to provide careers guidance) bill - clause 1 - extension of duty to provide careers guidance in schools in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Moves amendments to improve the quality and reach of careers guidance. Argues that current legislation allows for subjective assessments, which undermines objective standards set by Gatsby benchmarks. Proposes an amendment to remove subjective language in clause 42A(4)(c). Emphasises the importance of ensuring all schools meet the eight Gatsby benchmarks for good quality careers guidance.
Mark Jenkinson
Con
Workington
Supports Sir Christopher Chope's emphasis on good-quality careers guidance but argues against making advice objective, stating it is subjective and should vary based on local labour market conditions. Acknowledges the need for schools to have regard to statutory guidance that includes adherence to Gatsby benchmarks.
Toby Perkins
Lab
Chesterfield
Congratulates Mark Jenkinson on reaching this stage with his Bill and offers Labour's support. Stresses the importance of careers guidance in promoting social mobility, noting it is often the first time young people get to explore their future opportunities.
Julie Marson
Con
Chorley
Marson shares her personal background to highlight the importance of career opportunities. She believes that having diverse career paths and choices is fundamental for levelling up and achieving a fulfilling life.
Chris Clarkson
Con
West Lancashire
Clarkson supports the intention behind the amendments but does not support them if they are pressed to a vote. He appreciates the emphasis on quality careers advice and shares his own experience of career redirection.
Simon Baynes
Con
Caerphilly
Baynes commends Mark Jenkinson for bringing forward this Bill. He expresses some sympathy with Sir Christopher Chope’s amendments but ultimately feels that the current provisions of the Bill are sufficient.
West Lancashire
Fletcher acknowledges her procedural mistake and expresses readiness to speak on Third Reading, indicating support for the Bill as it stands.
Shaun Bailey
Con
Harlesden
Bailey voices concern about potential unintended consequences from Sir Christopher Chope's amendments. He supports the spirit of the amendments but worries they might not account for local social and economic needs.
Joy Morrissey
Con
Beaconsfield
Morrissey commends Mark Jenkinson's work on education and supports extending career duty to all pupils. She raises issues with how amendments might target inequality but suggests further scrutiny and funding incentives.
Alex Burghart
Con
Brentwood and Ongar
Emphasised the importance of quality careers guidance, citing Ferndown Upper School's T-level journey as an example. Acknowledged the need for independent guidance providers to act in pupils' best interests. Reiterated that Ofsted inspections will include adherence to Gatsby benchmarks.
Lindsay Hoyle
Speaker
Chorley
Instructed MPs to focus on debating amendments rather than preparing for Third Reading, ensuring the debate remains relevant and focused.
Christchurch
Reiterated his concerns about schools not complying with Gatsby benchmarks. Questioned the current responsibility placement on guidance providers rather than schools themselves, suggesting it undermines accountability.
Emphasised the importance of embedding careers advice throughout secondary education and ensuring consistent quality across all state-funded schools. Stressed the need for a joined-up system involving employers, education providers, and careers advisers.
Alex Sobel
Lab Co-op
Leeds Central
Welcomed the Bill's aim to improve career advice but highlighted the need for professionalisation of careers guidance. Criticised current approaches that rely on online quizzes instead of face-to-face conversations with trained professionals.
Toby Perkins
Lab
Chesterfield
Stressed the importance of face-to-face interactions between young people and careers professionals, advocating for a more personal approach to career guidance beyond online tools.
Toby Perkins
Lab
Chesterfield
Perkins supports the Bill, stating it is an important step towards ensuring consistent careers guidance in schools. He criticises previous government policies that led to a reduction in career services and highlights Labour's proposals for compulsory work experience and professional careers advice once a week at every school.
Jo Gideon
Lab
Stoke-on-Trent Central
Congratulates the bill proposer on introducing an important Bill. Emphasises the importance of teaching entrepreneurship and digital skills in schools, noting that one in four Brits operate a side business contributing £72 billion to the UK economy. Highlights the need for school curriculums to reflect modern employment trends.
James Sunderland
Con
Workington
Supports the Bill, highlighting his own experience of careers guidance in secondary school and its impact on shaping his career vision. Commends the provision of independent advice from year 7 onwards as crucial for early exposure to diverse career opportunities.
Sally-Ann Hart
Con
Eastbourne
Highlights the importance of comprehensive careers guidance in enabling social mobility and supporting young people's choices. Emphasises the need for a variety of career speakers to visit schools, praising government initiatives such as the Baker clause and Skills for Jobs White Paper.
Marco Longhi
Con
Dudley South
Emphasises the need for parity in providing education and guidance to young people. Mentions a boxing club that helps excluded students gain academic qualifications, strength, belief, confidence, and future opportunities. Expresses hope for government support and recognises the potential of such initiatives to inspire future leaders.
Guildford
Highlights the importance of careers guidance in deprived areas, citing her own experience where university was not initially seen as an option. Supports technical qualifications and education having parity with other types of education. Advocates for inclusivity and support for young people on the autism spectrum.
Gagan Mohindra
Con
South West Hertfordshire
Commends the Bill's emphasis on career guidance, highlighting statistics about business professionals working with schools and colleges. Stresses the importance of equipping young people for multiple careers in a global context and notes the need to continuously strive for better educational provision.
Nicola Richards
Lab
West Bromwich East
Acknowledges the variability of career advice access, noting it often depends on local schools and can be a postcode lottery. Supports early setting out of future education options for students, as per Gatsby benchmarks. Mentions her experience in securing work experience that helped shape her career path.
Julie Marson
Con
Hertford and Stortford
Praised the Bill for improving careers advice, emphasising its importance in guiding young people's future paths. Highlighted the need for consistent quality of careers guidance across secondary schools and commended the focus on apprenticeships.
Chris Clarkson
Lab
Heywood and Middleton
Supported the Bill, emphasising its role in promoting social mobility, aspiration among young people, and understanding that students learn differently. Praised local colleges for their constructive working relationship and their efforts to identify students who may benefit from alternative educational pathways.
Siobhan Baillie
Con
Stroud
Welcomed the Bill, highlighting personal experiences with inadequate careers advice and advocating for better support systems. Emphasised the importance of early guidance in broadening young people's horizons and opportunities.
Joy Morrissey
Con
Beaconsfield
Stressed the significance of providing careers advice to underprivileged students, using a personal anecdote to illustrate the systemic failure in supporting talented young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Simon Baynes
Lab
Clwyd South
Supports the Bill as it applies to England but acknowledges that Wales can also learn from its principles. Emphasises the importance of better careers guidance for young people in deprived areas and highlights the role of enterprise advisers, noting their number has increased significantly to 3,300. Mentors from business are crucial in giving young people ambition and connecting businesses with education communities. Advocates for careers advice during the recovery from the pandemic and mentions its importance for those not going to university.
Alex Burghart
Con
Brentwood and Ongar
Expresses gratitude towards all hon. Members supporting the Bill, highlighting its cross-party support. Stresses the importance of skills reform in the country and supports the government's Skills and Post-16 Education Bill that complements this effort. Mentions the value of careers guidance for young people from alternative provision settings with a personal example to illustrate how practical vocational education can inspire career choices. Reaffirms the Government’s commitment to providing high-quality careers education, ensuring all young people have access regardless of background.
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