Oral Answers to Questions

Matt Western Excerpts

Monday 11th March 2019 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Matt Western (Warwick and Leamington) (Lab)]

1. What steps he is taking to support schools to deliver a diverse curriculum to sixth forms.

[The Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills (Anne Milton)]

We want young people to have a range of options so that they can mature and develop the skills they will need in adult life. There was a wide consultation on reforming A-levels to ensure that they meet the needs of the future, and the new T-levels will increase the options available. I should add that £600 a year for each additional student taking maths A-level to increase take-up is now on the table.

[Matt Western]

The Minister will be well aware that we have seen a significant reduction in the take-up of subjects at sixth form level, with a 57% reduction in German, a 38% cut in Spanish, a 35% cut in French and a 38% drop in science, technology, engineering and maths—STEM—subjects. This is down to a 21% real-terms cut in education funding for sixth forms. Does she not share my concern that the young people in the secondary schools in my area will not have the same opportunities as we enjoyed when we were at school?

[Anne Milton]

We recognise that there is an issue around languages, but when I think about some of the good work that is being done on STEM subjects in particular, I am very impressed with what is going on.