Higher-level Learning Target 2025-10-20
2025-10-20
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
In Knowsley, there is progress but still a gap in young people participating in higher education.
What steps her Department is taking to ensure that it meets its target of two thirds of young people participating in higher-level learning. In Knowsley, while we are making progress with work from the council and organisations such as the Brilliant Club, we still fall below average for young people going into higher learning. Barriers remain to continuing education, and to developing skills for good jobs and good lives.
Later today I will make a statement on our post-16 education and skills White Paper, which sets out measures to support this learning ambition. For too long, skills have not been taken seriously, and that stops with Labour. Our long-term plan for national renewal will unlock opportunity for our young people, and drive growth for our country with clearer pathways, stronger alignment, and a renewed partnership between Government and business.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific steps to meet the target in Knowsley were not addressed
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Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The construction skills hub in Staveley has seen success with young people starting construction apprenticeships.
What steps her Department is taking to ensure that it meets its target of two thirds of young people participating in higher-level learning. The construction skills hub in Staveley in my constituency is a great example of the value of apprenticeships, and this year 68 young people came straight out of school and started a new construction apprenticeship.
My hon. Friend is right, and I know he has championed this cause for many years to ensure there are strong vocational and technical routes, including into areas such as construction. Around 5,000 more construction apprenticeship places will be made available each year, thanks to our £140 million investment, but that investment comes with reform, such as new foundation apprenticeships to equip young people with the skills they need, and construction technical excellence colleges in every region, working together with business, to ensure that we are training the plasterers, the electricians and the bricklayers of the future.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific steps for Chesterfield were not addressed
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Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The David Nieper academy in Amber Valley has had zero NEETs at age 18 for the past two academic years.
Will the Secretary of State join me in congratulating its students and its staff, and will she commit to visiting, to see how by bringing the workplace into the classroom it celebrates both the academic and the vocational?
That is fantastic to hear, not least given the challenges that we still see with quite high levels across our country of young people who are not in employment, education or training. I and the Work and Pensions Secretary are determined to take action on that, and I would be more than happy to do my best to honour my hon. Friend’s request.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment to visit was not provided
Working On It
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Universities have spent at least £2.5 million since the attacks of 7 October on additional security for anti-Israel protests and subsequent clean-up operations, yet many disciplinary cases against those disrupting study have been dropped.
On higher-level learning, universities have spent at least £2.5 million since the attacks of 7 October on additional security for anti-Israel protests and the clean-up operations that follow, yet many of the disciplinary cases against those disrupting study have been dropped. Will the Secretary of State confirm how many students have been expelled or disciplined for causing criminal damage, inciting violence and chanting antisemitic abuse?
Let me be absolutely clear: there is no place on our university campuses, in our schools or anywhere in our society for antisemitism, and I send that message loud and clear. That is the message that I have extended to university vice-chancellors, who should be in no doubt that we expect to see action on campus on this very serious issue. That is why we are putting more funding into training and support, including in our universities where we expect to see action, because there can be no excuse for Jewish students feeling unsafe on campus.
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Assessment & feedback
The number of expulsions or disciplinary actions taken against students causing criminal damage, inciting violence, and chanting antisemitic abuse was not provided.
Response accuracy