Business of the House Debate

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Department: Leader of the House

Business of the House

Anne Marie Morris Excerpts
Thursday 25th October 2012

(11 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord Lansley Portrait Mr Lansley
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The hon. Gentleman should recognise that our policy is about the reform of the benefits system. As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions is making clear today, if we can encourage people into work, that is the best route out of poverty. The benefit reforms will change the culture for good.

Anne Marie Morris Portrait Anne Marie Morris (Newton Abbot) (Con)
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May we have a debate on university technical colleges? They have been a great success story, and Members have not had an opportunity to examine what drives that success so that we might see more and more of them.

Lord Lansley Portrait Mr Lansley
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My hon. Friend makes an important point. Many Members might envy the position that I am in, because a university technical college is being established in Cambridge, which is enabling many young people to come forward and acquire training in skills that will support the life sciences industry. That is a tremendous step forward, and I pay tribute to the Baker Dearing Educational Trust and those who have taken the initiative forward. I hope that many Members, like my hon. Friend, will encourage UTCs in their area. She might like to raise the matter with our colleagues at Education questions on Monday.