Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Anne Milton and Luke Graham

Monday 4th February 2019 Commons Chamber

[Anne Milton]

I reject the suggestion that we are not on the side of young people with SEND. It is disappointing that the hon. Lady put it in those terms. I am very aware of the fantastic work that colleges do with young people with SEND. I have said that I visited a college recently where 400 students had SEND, and the results that they achieve are remarkable.

[Luke Graham (Ochil and South Perthshire) (Con)]

4. What recent steps his Department has taken to increase the take-up of STEM subjects.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Anne Milton and Luke Graham

Monday 17th December 2018 Commons Chamber

[The Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills (Anne Milton)]

The Government’s industrial strategy specifically targets STEM shortage skills. Between 2012 and 2018, entries to A-level maths rose by 25%. It is now the most popular A-level. Exam entries for GCSE computer science have increased from 2013, when it was first examined, from just over 4,000 to more than 70,000 in 2018. That is in part down to the £7.2 million funding that is going into maths hubs. A number of programmes have given STEM a real drive in schools and further education.¹

[Luke Graham]

I recently co-hosted a STEM workshop in Crieff High School in my constituency with the support of the Royal Navy. Will my right hon. Friend meet me to talk about what education opportunities we can provide across the United Kingdom working with educational institutions, the Ministry of Defence, the Department for International Development and the National Citizen Service?

[Anne Milton]

Well done to Crieff High School, the NCS, DFID and the Royal Navy. There is no doubt that weaving education into life jobs and everything we do with young people is how we get results. I would be delighted to meet my hon. Friend any time.