Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Education

Oral Answers to Questions

Jake Berry Excerpts
Thursday 8th July 2010

(14 years, 4 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Ed Davey Portrait Mr Davey
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All partner organisations and all parts of Government have to look very closely at their budgets as we approach the comprehensive spending review. We will ensure that key parts of the Department, which I often refer to as “the plumbing”—the parts that uphold company law and competition policy and the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service, for example—get the resources they need, as they affect key areas of our economy.

Jake Berry Portrait Jake Berry (Rossendale and Darwen) (Con)
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May I say that the announced 50,000 new apprenticeships are hugely welcome in my constituency, as Rossendale and Darwen has many young people working in the manufacturing sector? Given that an apprenticeship should be only the start of a journey of lifelong learning, what steps have been taken to encourage those who have completed an apprenticeship to go on to university?

John Hayes Portrait Mr Hayes
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My hon. Friend makes an important point about progression. It is important to have a ladder of training opportunity, going from re-engagement of those who have been disengaged from education, training and employment through to apprenticeships, and then to higher level skills, too. We will certainly do that.