Oral Answers to Questions

Bridget Phillipson Excerpts

Monday 12th September 2016 Commons Chamber

[Michael Fallon]

That is a suggestion I will certainly consider. Gibraltar is a key base for the Royal Navy. I think last week we had two, possibly three, ships from the Royal Navy calling in on Gibraltar, and Gibraltar of course retains its affiliation to the Crown despite the recent referendum.

[Bridget Phillipson (Houghton and Sunderland South) (Lab)]

14. What steps he is taking to ensure support for quality apprenticeships and training programmes through current and future defence procurement.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Mark Lancaster)]

The MOD is proud to be one of the largest providers of quality apprenticeships in the UK, and indeed the largest in Government, having delivered over 150,000 apprenticeships. We work closely across both Government and industry to develop apprenticeship standards, helping to build and maintain key defence skills across the country.

[Bridget Phillipson]

With major defence and infrastructure projects on the horizon, now is the wrong time for the Government to be cutting funding for apprenticeships. What guarantees can the Minister give that quality apprenticeships will be protected by his Department going forward?

[Mark Lancaster]

We stand by our record. We have delivered over 150,000 apprenticeships. Any new recruit joining the armed forces is enrolled on an apprenticeship scheme, and that will continue.