Oral Answers to Questions

John Howell Excerpts

Tuesday 17th April 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mel Stride]

The hon. Gentleman will know that all staff who may be affected will have face-to-face consultations with HMRC staff a year before any changes occur. Some 90% on average of those across the programme will be in a position of having left employment or retired, or finding it perfectly acceptable to move, in this case to Newcastle. I would be delighted to meet the hon. Gentleman to discuss the issue.

[John Howell (Henley) (Con)]

12. What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on ensuring that people have high-tech skills to increase productivity.

[The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (Robert Jenrick)]

The Government are working across Departments to help to prepare businesses and working people to seize the opportunities that technology will bring. At the Budget we announced, among other measures, a trebling of fully qualified computer science teachers, the creation of a T-level in digital skills and the retraining partnership that my right hon. Friend the Chancellor has spoken about.

[John Howell]

What steps are the Government taking to make sure that these skills are widely available?

[Robert Jenrick]

My hon. Friend makes an important point. We are trying to roll out our changes in apprenticeships, T-levels and other matters as quickly as possible across the country. We commissioned the Juergen Maier “Made Smarter” review to increase the adoption of digital technology in businesses—particularly small and medium-sized enterprises—and we will follow up on that in the months to come.