Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent steps he has taken to support the development of digital skills among young people.

The Government has introduced a computing curriculum at all four Key Stages, which aims to ensure that all pupils understand the fundamental principles of computer science, including programming, coding and data representation. The Department has reformed the computer science GCSE and A level so they provide a stronger foundation for further academic and vocational study, and better prepare students for higher education.

While entries to these qualifications have increased rapidly since their introduction, they are still too low. That is why a new National Centre for Computing Education has been launched, which is backed by £84 million of investment announced in the 2017 Autumn Budget. The programme will improve the teaching of computing and drive up participation in computer science at GCSE and A level, particularly amongst girls.

There are a number of options available to young people for further study, including through digital apprenticeships or, from 2020, one of the digital T levels which are based on employer designed standards and content. In addition, the Government launched the Ada National College for Digital Skills, which opened in 2016 and specialises in higher level training for digital specialisms.