Oral Answers to Questions

Phillip Lee Excerpts

Wednesday 27th January 2016 Commons Chamber

[Matthew Hancock]

It is disappointing that we do not have a cross-party approach to improving access to the civil service—who comes into it—to make sure that we have the very best people working for the common aim of delivering the Government’s agenda to improve the lives of citizens whom we serve, because that is the job that we focus on.

[Dr Phillip Lee (Bracknell) (Con)]

4. What assessment he has made of the performance of the National Citizen Service.

[Steve Double (St Austell and Newquay) (Con)]

5. What assessment he has made of the performance of the National Citizen Service.

[Dr Lee]

What success has the National Citizen Service had in helping to counter violent and non-violent extremism as part of the Government’s wider counter-extremism strategy?

[Mr Wilson]

My hon. Friend will be aware that NCS was not specifically designed to tackle extremism in our communities. However, the programme plays a significant role in promoting tolerance by breaking down barriers between communities. NCS helps young people to learn about other cultures and creates positive bonds between people from different backgrounds. In 2014, 27% of NCS participants were from non-white backgrounds compared with 19% of the general population.