Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Laura Moffatt (Labour). It was answered by Angela Eagle (Labour) on Thursday, 18 October 2007 on behalf of the Treasury.

Education and Training

Question: What recent assessment he made of the impact on the economy of providing education and training for 16 to 18-year-olds.

Answer: By 2020 the economy will need 5 million more people with higher-level skills. Since 1997, 150,000 more 16 to 18-year-olds are in education or training, and the number of young people in apprenticeships has more than trebled to 250,000. Over the same period, the UK's gross domestic product per capita has risen from being last in the G7 in 1996 to second only to the US in 2006. To close the gap further, we have committed to expanding the scope of educational and development opportunities for all. We will therefore deliver 3.7 million adult qualifications over the forthcoming comprehensive spending review period.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 464 c946; 158860
Session: 2006-07
Oral question type: Lead
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: Apprentices Adult education Education Economic growth Training Young people Skilled workers School leaving
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk