Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Willetts and Damian Hinds

Thursday 15th March 2012 Commons Chamber

[Damian Hinds (East Hampshire) (Con)]

8. What steps he is taking to ensure universal access to independent and professional careers advice and guidance.

[The Minister for Universities and Science (Mr David Willetts)]

I congratulate my hon. Friend on his work as chair of the all-party group on social mobility. Social mobility is at the heart of our plans for careers guidance, and I am pleased to confirm that we will publish a document, alongside the launch of the national careers service in April, setting out everything that the Government are doing to ensure that young people and adults have access to information and advice on learning and work, and receive support to move forwards in their lives.

[Damian Hinds]

I thank my right hon. Friend very much for that answer. It is absolutely true that good information, advice and guidance are essential for social mobility. Will he place a particular focus on disadvantaged youngsters to ensure that their ambitions are not limited, bearing in mind that often the best advice is to “Keep your options open”?

[Mr Willetts]

That is absolutely correct, and often even the most disadvantaged young people have high ambitions, but they do not know the route to achieve them. That is one of the crucial things that information, advice and guidance can secure, including advice and guidance on the key A-levels that will be needed if they wish to study at university.

Higher Education Funding

Debate between Lord Willetts and Damian Hinds

Wednesday 3rd November 2010 Commons Chamber

[Mr Willetts]

I have had discussions over the months with Leighton Andrews, who has described to me his proposals for Wales, where I know there is an ongoing debate about university financing. I hope to be able also to have a quick phone conversation with him about our proposals today and, of course, to keep in close touch.

[Damian Hinds (East Hampshire) (Con)]

Does my right hon. Friend agree that, although it is undeniably true that earlier generations of students, including most of us, got a much more generous deal, it was always based on a very restrictive formula for exactly to whom it could be generous? We all benefited. In future, if we want to have wider access, improve social mobility and protect the high quality of our university education, which does carry a cost, exactly this sort of measure, which ties contribution more closely to cost, will be necessary—

[Mr Speaker]

I am grateful. I call the Minister.