Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Baroness Brinton (Liberal Democrat). It was answered on Tuesday, 6 March 2012.

Universities: European Languages

Question: My Lords, do the Government still support the principle of strategic, important and vulnerable subjects which are STEM and modern languages? What highly specific advice will be given to schools and universities to prioritise modern languages, given their importance in our economy today?

Answer: My noble friend is absolutely right. She will be reassured to know that we have put £14 million on one side to ensure that the vulnerable subjects, such as science, technology, engineering and languages, get fully funded support. We recognise that if we are to be a good globally viable trading nation we will have to have all these skills plus more to be able to do that. Today, Brazil is a prime example of an economy that has gone forward. We must learn from the lessons around us so that we do not lag behind.

Secondary information