Oral Answers to Questions

Adam Holloway Excerpts

Monday 10th February 2014 Commons Chamber

[Matthew Hancock]

I think it is not enough simply to exhort that technical and vocational education is important. We have to make sure we show that it is valued, and that it truly is valued by employers in order to change this perceptions gap, but I would also note that on the same day that that report was published evidence was published showing that applications to apprenticeships had gone up sharply again. This shows there is movement in this area—there is a culture change in this country—and support for technical and vocational education is on the rise.

[Mr Adam Holloway (Gravesham) (Con)]

9. What steps he is taking to improve standards of attainment in English and mathematics.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Elizabeth Truss)]

We know that English and maths are vital for young people’s life chances and employment prospects. Maths in particular provides the strongest link to future earnings and we are raising standards in both these subjects. It is good news that a record number of students are now taking maths A-level, and by 2020 we want the vast majority of students to be studying maths to 18.

[Mr Holloway]

What steps can the Minister take to encourage more students in Gravesham, particularly girls, to take up maths?

[Elizabeth Truss]

I thank my hon. Friend for his question. The key to getting more students, and girls in particular, to take maths is the quality of teaching. That is why we are offering the highest bursaries and scholarships in mathematics, and we are also making it clear to girls and their parents that maths is vital whatever career they want to go into; whether it is fashion of farming, maths is important.