Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to establish a National Business Skills Guarantee for young people.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Through the department’s Careers Hub programme, The Careers and Enterprise Company and the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority are working in partnership with Goldman Sachs and Sir Richard Harpin to pilot the type of public-private partnership called for in the Maple Review, which recommended the establishment of a National Business Skills Guarantee. We welcome this pilot and will be monitoring it closely to assess the lessons that can be learned and whether the model could be rolled out nationally.

This public-private partnership pilot will:

• Connect more local entrepreneurs and start-ups with young people to help develop creativity, resilience and entrepreneurial skills.

• Support teachers through targeted professional development to increase their confidence and understanding of enterprise education.

• Offer a place-based model to connect local schools into priority growth sectors where the small business economy is needed and can thrive.

• Bring schools closer to the industries and businesses driving local economic growth, helping young people build relevant skills and aspirations.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the impact of Universal Credit childcare rules on parents of disabled children who need to book and pay for specialist childcare several months in advance; and whether he has any plans to change the rules to support these parents to work or increase their hours.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities)

We recognise that access to childcare support is essential in enabling parents to move into or progress in employment.

Eligible UC customers can claim back up to 85% of their eligible childcare costs each month regardless of the number of hours they work. Childcare costs can be claimed up to three months in advance but will be reimbursed in the month the childcare is provided. Parents who need help with their upfront childcare costs to move into work or increase their working hours may be eligible for support from the Flexible Support Fund (FSF).