Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Skills and Employment

Monday 4 November 2024 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • James Asser asked the Minister about steps to ensure young people have necessary skills for employment, and the Minister responded with details about the Government's curriculum and assessment review and the youth guarantee initiative.
  • James Asser inquired about creating more opportunities at secondary level for skills-based training, to which the Minister agreed on the value of university technical colleges and the aim to broaden the curriculum.
  • Josh Babarinde invited the Minister to celebrate the hub's second birthday and visit Eastbourne, but the Minister suggested that the noble Friend, Baroness Smith of Malvern, would be responsible for such a visit.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 James Asser Lab West Ham and Beckton
Education Employment
Context

The London Design and Engineering university technical college in the MP's constituency provides training at secondary level similar to further education, aiming to enhance employability.

Question

What steps she is taking to help ensure that young people have the necessary skills to gain employment. The London Design and Engineering university technical college caters for 14 to 19-year-olds and offers at secondary level the kind of training often only found at further education level, ensuring it is embedded post-16 into the workplace and improving employability skills.

Answer from Janet Daby

This Government are about fixing the foundations. We have launched an independent curriculum and assessment review, enabling all young people to access rigorous and high-value qualifications and training. We will introduce a youth guarantee helping 18 to 21-year-olds access education, training and apprenticeship opportunities.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment regarding creating more secondary-level opportunities for skills-based training was not provided

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Q2 James Asser Lab West Ham and Beckton
Education Employment
Context

The London Design and Engineering university technical college in the MP's constituency provides training at secondary level similar to further education, aiming to enhance employability.

Question

Does the Minister agree that we need to create more opportunities at secondary level for skills-based training to ensure that it is embedded and lasts post-16 into the workplace?

Answer from Janet Daby

This Government absolutely value university technical colleges, helping young people develop technical skills with employer support for technical careers. The independent curriculum and assessment review aims to broaden the curriculum so that young people do not miss out on vocational subjects.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment regarding creating more secondary-level opportunities for skills-based training was not provided

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Q3 Josh Babarinde Lib Dem Eastbourne
Context

The green training hub at East Sussex college supports students, young and mature, in moving into the solar energy sector.

Question

Will the Minister join me in celebrating the hub's second birthday? Will she come down to Eastbourne to visit the hub and its principal, Rebecca Conroy?

Answer from Janet Daby

A visit to Eastbourne to celebrate the hub sounds delightful. However, this falls to my noble Friend, Baroness Smith of Malvern.

Not addressed: Commitment to support the initiative by visiting the hub was not made

How: Passing On Comments

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Q4 Neil O'Brien Con Harborough, Oadby and Wigston
Defence
Context

The Department recently confirmed a decision to cancel support payments to combined cadet forces in state schools.

Question

What assessment was made beforehand of the impact that this cut would have? Will the Secretary of State reconsider it?

Answer from Janet Daby

We respect all young people in cadets or other armed forces areas. The hon. Gentleman raises this point, but after 14 years of previous Government's failure and a £22 billion black hole, there are difficult choices to be made.

Not addressed: Assessment and reconsideration were not addressed; criticism was directed at the previous government

How: Criticising Previous Government

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