Entrepreneurship Opportunities
Debate between Lord Storey and Baroness Wilcox
Lord Storey
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what measures they are taking to develop entrepreneurship opportunities for young people in the United Kingdom.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Baroness Wilcox)
My Lords, the evidence shows that to build enterprise, ambition and capability in young people it is important to provide hands-on experience at school and ensure ongoing access to support and advice. My Government have therefore developed a range of activities to inspire and give confidence to young people throughout schools, colleges and universities. Next week, my noble friend Lord Young will launch a new start-up loan scheme to improve access to finance for young entrepreneurs.
Lord Storey
I am grateful for my noble friend’s Answer. She may be aware that at the Global Entrepreneurship Congress held in Liverpool Sir Richard Branson suggested that, for many young people who had a business acumen, university was not for them; that we might consider instead that student loans should go to them to establish businesses; and that they should be mentored by business leaders. Does the Minister think that that is a good proposition? If so, how do we develop it? Perhaps a meeting should be held with Richard Branson to develop his idea.
Baroness Wilcox
The Government recognise the need to help young people to access the finance that they need to start up their own businesses and to be entrepreneurs. As I just said, next week we will be launching the £10 million start-up loans scheme which is specifically aimed at 18 to 24 year-olds. My colleague the Minister for Business and Enterprise in the other place, Mark Prisk, met Sir Richard Branson last week, and the issue of start-up loans was raised during those discussions. So it looks as though I have missed my chance to fly to the moon with Richard Branson but he is a wonderful role model, and more courage to him.
Education: Skills
Debate between Lord Storey and Baroness Wilcox
Baroness Wilcox
That is absolutely right, and that is why it is important for us to have functional skills, which are much more accessible to people with disabilities. I would be happy to talk to the noble Lord further on that matter.
Lord Storey
My Lords, the Minister will be aware that those students who go to university who have special needs are supported, perhaps through a scribe or assistive software, but that is not the case with apprenticeships. How would the Minister advise on this case? An apprentice electrician had an outstanding report on his practical skills from his employer. However, as he failed his key skills component, his employer was unable to retain him and he is now, sadly, unemployed. What advice would the Minister give to that young person as to the support that we could give him and other apprentices?
Baroness Wilcox
I am very sorry to hear this. We have just commissioned Peter Little to carry out research and recommend improvements to the accessibility of these apprenticeships. In April we will publish his report and a plan setting out exactly what we will do to improve and to help the situation.