Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Education

Oral Answers to Questions

Alan Mak Excerpts
Monday 15th June 2015

(9 years, 4 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Nick Boles Portrait Nick Boles
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The Government do not share with the Opposition the obsession with the idea that, somehow, anybody over the age of 25 doing an apprenticeship is wasting their time or the Government’s money. We absolutely agree that we want as many young people as possible to have the opportunity, but that includes people aged between 19 and 24, and over-25s. We want the entire programme to expand, which is why we are investing in it. We will deliver 3 million apprenticeships to people of all ages over the next five years.

Alan Mak Portrait Alan Mak (Havant) (Con)
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Five years ago, Staunton community sports college in the Leigh Park area of my constituency had one of Britain’s worst GCSE records. Following its conversion into Havant Academy, it is now one of Britain’s most improved schools. Does my hon. Friend the Minister agree that the Government’s free schools and academies programme is transforming the lives of young people?