Post-16 Education and Skills Strategy

Sureena Brackenridge Excerpts

Monday 20th October 2025 Commons Chamber

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Ms Nusrat Ghani)]

Order. We will have just another 30 minutes or so of questions, because we have a big debate later, so colleagues must keep their questions short.

[Mrs Sureena Brackenridge (Wolverhampton North East) (Lab)]

The previous Government tried hard to take a hatchet to many vocational courses, reflecting how little they valued those hugely important subjects and skills. Can the Minister confirm that the new V-level qualifications show that this Government have listened to the education sector, employers and students, and will allow more young people greater choice in achieving their pathway to a successful future?

[Bridget Phillipson]

Yes, that is right. V-levels will offer a genuine choice for young people to pursue several interests before specialising. They will sit alongside T-levels and A-levels, and will be linked to the skills and knowledge that employers tell us they need and the careers that young people wish to pursue. This is an important step forward, one that will ensure all of our young people have a good range of options available to them.