Taylor Review: Working Practices

Seema Malhotra Excerpts

Tuesday 11th July 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Put a copy in the Library; I am sure it will be of educational value to all of us.

[Seema Malhotra (Feltham and Heston) (Lab/Co-op)]

Matthew Taylor writes in his report:

“We must equip our children and young people to enter the labour market successfully, but Government, employers and individuals also need to make sure everyone is best placed to thrive throughout what might be a working life spanning 50 years or more.”

How do the Government square that with the previous Prime Minister’s policy of stopping compulsory work experience in schools, which in its first year led to a drop of 60,000 work experience placements in our schools across the country? Will she look at that again?

[Margot James]

That is a matter for the Department for Education. I agree that work experience is very important to young people and I am sure the Secretary of State will look favourably on that. My Department is looking to boost opportunities for lifelong learning to engender a culture in which people can progress in their careers.