Business of the House

Amanda Milling Excerpts

Thursday 20th October 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

What is now required, in each case, is a short question without preamble and a characteristically pithy reply from the Front Bench.

[Amanda Milling (Cannock Chase) (Con)]

Last week, Briggs Equipment celebrated its 10th anniversary. To mark this occasion, it held an event where I got to meet 14 new apprentices. Will my right hon. Friend join me in congratulating Briggs on its anniversary and wish the new apprentices the best of luck with their new careers; and may we have a statement on the Government’s 3 million apprenticeship target?

[Mr Lidington]

I am delighted to hear the news from my hon. Friend’s constituency. The Government regard their 3 million apprenticeship target as a key element in increasing the skills and productivity of our nation. As the evidence from her constituency shows, sensible businesses realise that developing apprenticeship schemes is in their own commercial interest as well.