Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Education

Oral Answers to Questions

Andrew Gwynne Excerpts
Tuesday 2nd February 2016

(8 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Nick Boles Portrait Nick Boles
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This is such an important issue that I hope that I can go one better and invite my hon. Friend to come and meet me, along with the people who have such concerns. I have had other such meetings, not least with my hon. Friend the Member for Milton Keynes South (Iain Stewart), on similar issues. It is very important that we get this right.

Andrew Gwynne Portrait Andrew Gwynne (Denton and Reddish) (Lab)
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T9. Has the Secretary of State read the report from the Centre for Cities, which shows that a large number of Britain’s towns and cities are low-skill, low-wage economies? What is he doing to ensure that there is joined-up thinking across Government to ensure that we tackle not just education and skills but the transport links to access those new jobs?

Sajid Javid Portrait Sajid Javid
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I have not seen that particular report, but now that the hon. Gentleman mentions it I will be pleased to take a look. He is right to identify skills as a key issue in helping to create jobs and increase productivity. That is why, for example, we have introduced the apprenticeship levy and are putting forward plans for that. It will make just the kind of difference that he is looking for.