---

Education and Skills Bill

I thank the Minister for his response. I agree totally with the noble Baroness, Lady Sharp, about the great disparity in Connexions services across the country. Many services have incorporated areas that Connexions were not originally intended to cover, such as advice on sexual health and so on. For that reason Connexions has become incredibly stretched in its provision of the sort of advice that young people need when they are looking for career progression. My noble friend Lord Elton was right to point out the issues facing young people entering the world of employment and the increasing pace of change for those already in employment. There is a great need for an all-age careers service. I thank the Minister for his response, but he failed to satisfy the need for a dedicated all-age advice service. People need a clear point of contact when they are trying to address the challenging changes that they face in the world of employment today. Although Connexions is useful for 14 to 19 year-olds, there must be, given the ever increasing pace of change, a service for all ages. I shall go away and read carefully the details of the Minister’s response. I am not wholly satisfied but, for the moment, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Clause 19 agreed to. Clause 20 [Appropriate arrangements]: [Amendment No. 112 not moved.] Clause 20 agreed to. Clause 21 [Appropriate arrangements to be in place before employment begins]: [Amendments Nos. 113 and 114 not moved.]