Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Robert Halfon and Mark Pawsey

Monday 28th November 2022 Commons Chamber

[Robert Halfon]

Of course I will consider what my hon. Friend has said, but my priority for higher education was set out in a recent speech—it is skills, jobs and social justice, by which I mean ensuring that disadvantaged people can climb the higher education ladder of opportunity. He will know that the sector regional standards set out the terms of grading and content, but we should judge students on the outcomes: are they getting good skills and are they getting good jobs?

[Mark Pawsey (Rugby) (Con)]

15. What assessment her Department has made of trends in the level of school attendance.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Robert Halfon and Mark Pawsey

Monday 19th December 2016 Commons Chamber

[Robert Halfon]

I am of course happy to meet the hon. Lady, but the whole idea of the apprenticeship levy is to change behaviours and ensure that we become an apprenticeship and skills nation. If the school that she describes has apprentices that meet the needs of the levy, not only will they not pay any levy but they will get 10% on top.

[Mark Pawsey (Rugby) (Con)]

Small businesses often give apprentices the best experience, but they find it difficult to offer the time and resources to support them. What steps is the Minister taking to encourage small businesses in particular to take on more apprentices?

[Robert Halfon]

My hon. Friend is a champion of small business, both in his constituency and in the House. We are doing huge amounts to support small businesses to take on young apprentices, including a huge financial incentive for both providers and businesses. Very small businesses do not have to pay any training costs if they have 16 to 18-year-olds. We have also cut national insurance contributions for employers when apprentices are aged under 25.