Adult Education: Part-time Attendance

Debate between Baroness Evans of Bowes Park and Lord Lucas

Wednesday 9th March 2016 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Evans of Bowes Park]

I am very pleased to reassure the noble Lord that in fact, under this Government in the last spending review, we have protected FE budgets at £1.5 billion over the course of the Parliament. Therefore I am sure that the noble Lord will recognise how much the Government are doing to support FE and will want to congratulate us on doing so.

[Lord Lucas (Con)]

My Lords, does my noble friend recall that the committee on the digital economy of this House recommended shorter courses, of five weeks or so, and bang-up-to-date courses so that people being encouraged to do part-time courses would be given something that employers value?

Student Loans

Debate between Baroness Evans of Bowes Park and Lord Lucas

Monday 20th July 2015 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Evans of Bowes Park]

In some sectors there has been a relaxation of the rules, which has also been driven by some of the needs of the economy. We are very keen to ensure that as many people have access to higher education as possible. We will continue to look at this but, as I have said, we have seen a 43% increase in the number of higher and degree apprenticeships compared to 2013—and, crucially, we are now seeing a growing economy. Since 2010, 2.4 million private sector jobs have been created. What people really want is job security; that is what we are providing.

[Lord Lucas (Con)]

My Lords—

--- Later in debate ---

[Lord Lucas]

My Lords, do the Government plan to take forward the recommendation in the House of Lords Digital Skills Committee report that we should involve the Tech Partnership in reviving and modernising IT qualifications, particularly for the benefit of adults who wish to change career?

[Baroness Evans of Bowes Park]

I am sure that the Government are considering the conclusions of that report. I am happy to follow up on that with the noble Lord.