Vocational Qualifications Debate

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Department: Department for Education

Vocational Qualifications

Robin Walker Excerpts
Wednesday 5th March 2014

(10 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Matt Hancock Portrait Matthew Hancock
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One thing that the hon. Lady could do to make the process simpler is to support the measures in the Deregulation Bill that is going through the House. We are taking a whole series of measures, but if she has specific examples of bureaucracy getting in the way, I would be very keen to look at them.

Robin Walker Portrait Mr Robin Walker (Worcester) (Con)
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In each of the past two years, more than 1,000 people in Worcester have started an apprenticeship, more than doubling the uptake since the end of the previous Labour Government. I am very glad that that is happening, along with an increase in the quality of apprenticeships. With new research from the Association of Accounting Technicians showing that each apprenticeship in Worcester adds £2,229 to the local economy, does the Minister agree that more businesses in our area should take on apprentices?

Matt Hancock Portrait Matthew Hancock
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Yes, I agree. I pay tribute to my hon. Friend for his work to bring exactly that benefit to the attention of employers in Worcester and across the country.