← Back to House of Commons Debates
Lifetime Skills Guarantee and Post-16 Education
01 October 2020
Lead MP
Gavin Williamson
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
EducationTaxationEmployment
Other Contributors: 27
At a Glance
Gavin Williamson raised concerns about lifetime skills guarantee and post-16 education in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
The Secretary of State for Education announced a lifetime skills guarantee aimed at enhancing further, technical and vocational education in the UK. The initiative includes retraining opportunities for individuals at any stage in their working life to respond to economic shifts, particularly post-COVID recovery. Key measures involve expanding apprenticeships, introducing T-levels equivalent to three A-levels each, funding courses equivalent to A-levels for adults without such qualifications, and transforming the financing system for higher technical courses to match university degrees. The government also pledged £1.5 billion in additional funding for further education colleges, aiming to create 20 employer-led institutes of technology with state-of-the-art facilities, enhancing digital skills through boot camps, and supporting careers advice and training initiatives. The plan aims to address productivity issues, align post-16 education better with industry needs, and provide equitable access to high-level technical courses.
Chris Clarkson
Lab
Ealing North
Question
Clarkson questioned the practicality of the lifetime skills guarantee for adults without level 2 qualifications, highlighting potential barriers in accessing funding and support. He asked how people can afford to study if they lack access to maintenance grants and loans.
Minister reply
Williamson acknowledged challenges but reassured MPs that detailed plans would be published later in the year to address these issues, including measures to make training more accessible for adults lacking prior qualifications.
David Simmonds
Constitutional
Brackla
Question
Simmonds asked about the timeframe and implementation of the new funding system for higher technical courses, and whether it would allow part-time study options.
Minister reply
Williamson confirmed that consultations on implementing a flexible lifelong learning allowance were planned for next year, aiming to provide more flexibility in studying hours and formats.
Helen Hayes
Lab
Dulwich and West Norwood
Question
Hayes questioned the sufficiency of apprenticeship levy transfers from larger employers to smaller ones and whether this would be enough to encourage SMEs to take on new apprentices.
Minister reply
Williamson explained that measures were being put in place to ensure more effective use of funds, including improving access for SMEs through better fund utilization mechanisms.
Kate Green
Lab
Bedminster
Question
Expresses gratitude to the Secretary of State but criticises previous cuts made by the Government to further education funding, questions the eligibility criteria and support for level 2 qualifications under the lifetime skills guarantee, highlights insufficient investment levels compared to past funding cuts and lack of maintenance support parity between higher and further education learners. She raises issues around funding allocation and timelines for implementation in light of projected high unemployment rates.
Minister reply
Defends the Government's record on educational funding, citing increases in 16 to 19 budgets and investments in FE college estates and T-levels. Emphasises focus on quality over quantity in apprenticeships and dismisses Labour's inconsistency regarding T-level support.
Robert Largan
Con
High Peak
Question
Welcomes the lifetime skills guarantee but urges targeted policies to address skill shortages in construction, engineering, quarrying, telecommunications and broadband infrastructure delivery.
Minister reply
Agrees on targeting investment towards sectors with high employment demand, ensuring that training opportunities lead individuals into work by matching local skills needs.
Carol Monaghan
SNP
Glasgow North West
Question
Welcomes the move towards skills education but criticises the Government for neglecting further education, asks if FE students in England will be saddled with massive debts due to lifetime loan entitlement and questions why tuition fees have not been addressed. Also asks about investment in infrastructure and funding for retraining.
Minister reply
Acknowledges Scotland’s influence on UK policies, confirms £1.5 billion spending on FE estate capital with additional Barnett consequentials for devolved nations, and emphasises the importance of FE investment under Conservative Government.
Damian Hinds
Con
East Hampshire
Question
Welcomes reform progress on higher-level technicals and T-levels and asks about how lifetime schools guarantee fits with national retraining scheme.
Minister reply
Confirms commitment to encouraging people through the journey of upskilling, thanks Damian Hinds for work done as Secretary of State for Education.
Karl Turner
Lab
Kingston upon Hull East
Question
Expresses worry about rising unemployment in east Hull and questions why new money will not come through until April next year.
Minister reply
Refers to previous announcements by Chancellor, such as kickstart initiative for job opportunities, and emphasises the urgency of current programmes.
Question
Asks if new gold standard of T-levels will be available to adults taking up lifetime skills guarantee.
Minister reply
Absolutely guarantees that T-levels will be available, highlights their development based on employer needs and success in ensuring young people move into work or further education.
Ellie Reeves
Lab
Lewisham West and East Dulwich
Question
Highlights severe cuts faced by Lewisham and Southwark Colleges over the last 10 years, asks for real-term funding to match ambition.
Minister reply
Confirms substantial extra funding has been announced for FE sector.
Matt Vickers
Con
Stockton West
Question
Asks how the Government will ensure world-class education and training is available to all students, no matter where they come from or which college they go to.
Minister reply
Confirms commitment to providing a range of high-quality technical qualifications for young people.
Question
Welcomes the serious look at post-16 education, highlights the importance of independent learning providers and staff pay and conditions.
Minister reply
Agrees that pay is an important part of high-quality delivery in FE colleges.
Question
Asks what more the Government will do to ensure opportunities for disadvantaged and vulnerable people taking advantage of lifetime skills guarantee.
Minister reply
Highlights the transformative potential of the announcement for individuals, families and communities.
Andrew Gwynne
Ind
Gorton and Denton
Question
Welcomes many measures but expresses concern about potential duplication with existing adult skills policy in Greater Manchester. Asks for cooperation with the combined authority to ensure a joined-up approach.
Minister reply
Acknowledges importance of working closely with devolved authorities, emphasises national standard and parity across England.
Question
Welcomes announcement but inquires about support for final year GCSE and A-level students affected by the pandemic. Asks for an announcement on exams next year.
Minister reply
Highlights further education colleges' efforts with covid catch-up funding, confirms future announcements on qualifications.
Richard Graham
Con
Gloucester
Question
Welcomes new skills pathways but seeks more detail on flexible loans and training. Asks about apprenticeship levy reform to aid SME recruitment.
Minister reply
Offers meeting with the Minister for Skills to discuss unlocking more employment in Gloucester.
Daisy Cooper
Lib Dem
St Albans
Question
Welcomes ambition but seeks more detail and discusses Independent Commission on Lifelong Learning recommendations.
Minister reply
Agrees to meet the hon. Lady and colleagues to discuss ideas, emphasises need for collective will and determination.
Peter Kyle
Lab
Hove and Portslade
Question
Expresses personal background in seeking education despite challenges, criticises measures announced as not ambitious enough for the scale of opportunity.
Minister reply
Reassures about close work with DWP and BEIS to match actions with needs of whole economy.
Question
Praises Government measures promoting social mobility and providing skilled workforce, highlights local initiatives like the Loughborough towns fund.
Minister reply
Compliments partnership working in creating opportunities for all ages.
Southgate and Wood Green
Question
Draws attention to fee waiver anomaly affecting post-16 students like Linus.
Minister reply
Offers to look into the case if details are provided in writing.
Neil Hudson
Con
Epping Forest
Question
Welcomes lifetime skills guarantee and highlights importance of Newton Rigg College for delivering the agenda in Cumbria.
Minister reply
Acknowledges work on future of Newton Rigg college, emphasises role of colleges in delivery.
Geraint Davies
Lab
Swansea West
Question
Welcomes improvements but expresses concern about first-year students' physical and mental health due to isolation during online learning.
Minister reply
References £256 million funding provided for universities to support pupils in such circumstances.
Cheryl Gillan
Con
Buckinghamshire West
Question
Welcomes the Secretary of State’s statement on the Bucks Skills Show, an initiative that brings employers into classrooms to demonstrate how curriculum subjects can be applied in real-world jobs. Commends Buckinghamshire Business First and the Bucks careers hub for their efforts in supporting young people post-virus through partnerships with business, the LEP, council, and Careers and Enterprise Company.
Minister reply
Acknowledges and thanks the listed organisations for their work in integrating education with the economy and community, stressing that such collaborations inspire students to explore various career paths.
Tan Dhesi
Lab
Slough
Question
Highlights Langley College's role in helping young people reach their full potential but criticises underfunding of colleges. Questions the Secretary of State’s commitment to retraining by pointing out that integrating training into job support schemes, as Labour suggested, was not pursued.
Minister reply
Responds that every idea is considered but does not necessarily mean it will be adopted if it comes from the Labour party. Emphasises the Government's ongoing efforts in improving opportunities for young people and the upcoming Further Education White Paper.
Question
References her father’s route to engineering qualifications through night school, asking whether the lifetime skills guarantee will open similar paths for young people.
Minister reply
Confirms that the initiative aims to provide more opportunities and routes for young people, stressing that going to university is not the only path to success.
Question
Asks how the Secretary of State plans to engage employers in training their workforce and provides access to good-quality career advice for adults looking to retrain.
Minister reply
Announces an additional £32 million investment in careers advice to ensure high quality. Acknowledges the importance of impartial advice but does not directly address employer engagement.
Shadow Comment
Kate Green
Shadow Comment
The shadow Education Secretary welcomed the statement but criticised past Conservative cuts in further education funding. She questioned the efficacy of offering flexible loans for adult learners, given historical data indicating that loan systems have deterred many from studying. Green asked about eligibility criteria and maintenance support for those studying level 2 qualifications before progressing to higher levels. She also highlighted insufficient investment compared to needs post-COVID, calling out inadequate funding amounts per learner and requested details on determining valued employer courses. Concerns were raised about collaboration with devolved authorities, support for SMEs and non-levy payers in apprenticeships, and the timing of training scheme rollouts relative to projected unemployment spikes.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About House of Commons Debates
House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.