Women: Training and Upskilling

Debate between Baroness Armstrong of Hill Top and Baroness Wilcox

Monday 25th June 2012 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Wilcox]

I, too, remember WISE. I also remember the noble Baroness on these Benches who was one of the first woman engineers in the country and she was very keen on WISE. It is sad that it has gone but we like to think that the things we are doing now are being taken across the board to ensure that girls get the opportunity to do everything available to them.

[Baroness Armstrong of Hill Top]

Is the Minister aware that many women who want to get into the type of jobs she is talking about may not have done well at school and therefore may need to do basic further education training and access courses? Does she think that the imposition of loans and fees at the further education level will encourage such women?

[Baroness Wilcox]

Further education is a special area, about which we are very concerned. We are very keen to make sure that there are all-age apprenticeships and, from 2013, we will introduce further education loans so that people will not be restricted from taking up new opportunities because they are unable to take part.

Economy: Growth

Debate between Baroness Armstrong of Hill Top and Baroness Wilcox

Wednesday 15th February 2012 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Wilcox]

My noble friend is very brave. As she will remember, the Government's plan for growth is to create the most competitive tax system in the G20, and that is the path we are on.

[Baroness Armstrong of Hill Top]

My Lords, the Minister will be aware that the north-east is a wonderful place to live, to work and to establish businesses, but under this Government unemployment has risen there more than anywhere else in the kingdom. People in the north-east are beginning to feel that the Government simply do not care about the region. What can she say this afternoon that can help us to begin to rebuild and give young people, in particular, a feeling that there is a future for them in the north-east?