Oral Answers to Questions

Derek Twigg Excerpts
Tuesday 31st January 2017

(7 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Margot James Portrait Margot James
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

Last week the Government launched the new industrial strategy, and the new academies programme for improving skills and access to apprenticeships is working with the existing apprenticeship programme to improve both the quality and number of apprentices.

Derek Twigg Portrait Derek Twigg (Halton) (Lab)
- Hansard - -

Given that further education colleges have an important role in providing skills and training and help many people to become self-employed workers, does it make sense to cut their budgets?

Margot James Portrait Margot James
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

Further education colleges remain an important part of our strategy to improve skills and access to apprenticeships, but they are not the only route to apprenticeships. The apprenticeship levy will increase funding for overall access to skills for our young people.