Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Anna Firth and Jeremy Quin

Thursday 7th September 2023 Commons Chamber

[Jeremy Quin]

I am sorry that strike action is ongoing. Ultimately, this is a matter between the employees and their employer.

[Anna Firth (Southend West) (Con)]

Will the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs update the House on the Northern Ireland legacy legislation?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Anna Firth and Jeremy Quin

Thursday 8th December 2022 Commons Chamber

[Anna Firth (Southend West) (Con)]

17. What steps his Department is taking to increase apprenticeship opportunities in the civil service.

[The Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General (Jeremy Quin)]

We launched our new three-year civil service apprenticeship strategy back in April 2022. The civil service is committed to having 5% of staff as apprentices by 2025, and we have already recruited more than 3,600 new apprentices for the first half of this financial year.

[Anna Firth]

In Southend, the brilliant South Essex College works in close partnership with our equally brilliant Essex chamber of commerce to maximise apprenticeship opportunities across Southend. Does my right hon. Friend agree that the civil service could learn from this excellent example of public-private partnership to increase apprenticeships in the new powerhouse that is the city of Southend?

[Jeremy Quin]

It is always a pleasure to hear the city of Southend referred to in this place; it brings back happy memories of our friend.

The private sector in Southend West does a brilliant job of promoting apprenticeships, with South Essex College working with the Essex chamber of commerce. I am sure that there are things we can learn. We are determined to progress our own plans for apprentices. They are going well and we can take them forward, but if my hon. Friend has any tips, I would be delighted to meet her and discuss what is happening in the city of Southend.