Oral Answers to Questions

David T C Davies Excerpts

Thursday 9th June 2011 Commons Chamber

[Vince Cable]

I am not sure I should take lectures on manufacturing industry from a representative of the party that presided over the biggest decline in manufacturing of any major country, but none the less the hon. Gentleman is right that there are some good legacies. One of them is the Automotive Council, which works extremely well and contributes very positively to the supply chain. I welcome that.

[David T. C. Davies (Monmouth) (Con)]

2. What steps he is taking to reduce the burden of administration on employers offering to take on apprentices.

[The Minister for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning (Mr John Hayes)]

George Sand said:

“Simplicity is the most difficult thing to secure in this world”.

Nevertheless we are working with employers and their representatives to challenge the requirements and processes imposed on employers taking on apprentices. We have identified a number of areas where we will streamline or remove unnecessary bureaucratic processes, demonstrating that the Government are absolutely committed to beating bureaucracy and to breaking down barriers wherever we find them.

[David T. C. Davies]

I thank the Minister very much for that. Does he agree that, to many people, high-quality vocational courses will offer a far better route to gainful employment than a meaningless degree somewhere?

[Mr Hayes]

For too long we have assumed that the only route to accomplishment is through academic prowess. I believe that practical, technical and vocational competence not only serves economic need, but instils the purposeful pride that enriches lives, cements communities and builds a better Britain.