Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Oliver Colvile and Lord Willetts

Thursday 8th July 2010 Commons Chamber

[Oliver Colvile (Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport) (Con)]

9. What plans his Department has to improve the employability of graduates.

[The Minister for Universities and Science (Mr David Willetts)]

We are committed to increasing employment by cutting the burden of national insurance on new businesses employing new staff in areas such as Plymouth. We are cutting corporation tax over the next four years. We are easing the burden of regulation. In addition, I have asked universities to provide public statements on what they do to promote employability, to encourage them to improve the job-readiness of their students and to do better at getting their students into internships, work experience and work.

[Oliver Colvile]

I thank my right hon. Friend for that answer. Is he willing to meet me and the vice-chancellor of Plymouth university—the enterprise university—to discuss ways in which it might make greater commercial use of its excellent reputation in marine science research as well?

[Mr Willetts]

I have met the vice-chancellor of the university of Plymouth and corresponded with her when she praised the co-operation that she already had with my hon. Friend. Of course, I would be very happy to meet her. Those are exactly the kind of initiatives linking universities and business to promote economic growth that the Government are backing.