Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Will Stone and Janet Daby

Monday 10th March 2025 Commons Chamber

[Will Stone (Swindon North) (Lab)]

8. What recent progress she has made on determining the future of the institutes of technology.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Janet Daby)]

The Department values the approach of the institutes of technology, which bring together education and industry to develop and deliver curriculums related to local employers and create sustainable pathways for talent development. We will continue to work with IOTs —including Swindon and Wiltshire IOT—in developing our strategy for post-16 skills.

[Will Stone]

I thank the Minister for her response. Would she consider meeting me so that we can work together on growing IOTs like Swindon, especially given their degree-awarding powers?

[Janet Daby]

IOTs bring together further education and higher education providers to deliver higher level technical qualifications including degrees and apprenticeships. I could offer to meet my hon. Friend, but I am sure he would much prefer to meet my noble Friend the Skills Minister from the other place. I will raise his request with her.