Written question asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark (Labour), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Hill of Oareford (Conservative) on Monday, 23 January 2012.

Education: Literacy

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Wilcox on 20 December (WA 343), what is their assessment of the 13-point rise in the proportion of 16 to 18 year-olds achieving level 2 literacy or higher.

Answer: The Government welcome the rising trends in the number of young people aged 16 to 18 who achieve level 2 and above in literacy, but we know there is more work to do. The Government recognise the importance of young people starting adult life with the literacy and numeracy skills that will allow them to progress into employment, training and further or higher education. That is why we accepted the recommendations from the Wolf review of vocational education in May 2011 to introduce coherent study programmes for 16 to 19 year-olds, including provision for young people to continue to study post-16 English and mathematics, ideally to GCSE A*-C, until they achieve good attainment in those subjects. We recently consulted on the proposed study programmes for 16 to 19 year-olds and we will set out the Government response to consultation later in spring 2012.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 14612; 734 c173-4WA
Session: 2010-12
Related items: Apprenticeships
Tuesday, 20 December 2011
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Young people Literacy
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk