Oral Answers to Questions

Gordon Henderson Excerpts

Monday 21st November 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gibb]

I am grateful for the hon. Lady’s comments. A BECTA survey in 2009 showed that only 2% of primary schools and 1% of secondary schools regarded their broadband speeds as very slow. There is record spending on broadband at the moment and the Government have allocated £530 million over the Parliament for broadband, which is available to local authorities to help improve broadband in their areas.

[Gordon Henderson (Sittingbourne and Sheppey) (Con)]

6. If he will bring forward proposals to place schools under a statutory duty to provide high-quality and impartial careers guidance.

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

The Education Act 2011 places a duty on schools to secure access to independent and impartial careers guidance for pupils in years 9 to 11. This provision will commence from September 2012 and will be underpinned by statutory guidance.

[Gordon Henderson]

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his answer and I very much welcome the Government’s progress on launching the national careers service. Does he agree that it is vital that we use the service effectively to promote vocational training?

[Mr Hayes]

My hon. Friend will know that I visited his constituency to look at the excellent work that has been done on vocational training. The purpose of the independent advice and guidance is to ensure that people get advice appropriate to their needs. For too long, we have assumed that the only route to prowess came through academic accomplishment. The Government believe that the work of people’s hands matters too, and that those with practical tastes and talents deserve their place in the sun.