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Proceeding contribution from Lord Willetts (Conservative) in the House of Commons on Monday, 8 December 2008. It occurred during Queen's speech debate on Employment, Universities and Skills and Housing.


Employment, Universities and Skills and Housing

I am pleased with what the hon. Gentleman has said about the public sector. As he will be aware, in the past year I have tabled many questions trying to identify how many apprenticeships there are across the public sector and in central Government. The figure for the Government was shockingly low: there are 3,431 apprenticeships in central Government—a very tiny figure, especially if we take seriously the extraordinary figures for the total number of apprenticeships that we heard from the Secretary of State earlier. There seem to be 2,581 advanced apprenticeships, which are the only sort of apprenticeship in most other countries. Given that currently there are only around 3,000 apprenticeships across Government, it would be an extraordinary ambition for the public sector to deliver that entitlement, which will apparently be offered to all young people. I admire the ambition of the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, South-West (Rob Marris), and I hope that we will hear from the Government—we have not this evening; we are still waiting—about what practical measures they will take to achieve the targets. How will they explain the idea that people can have an entitlement to be employed?


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
485 c320 
Session
2008-09
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Business Employment Housing Education Further education Investment Financial markets Economic situation Housing stock Public expenditure Standards Universities Training Repairs and maintenance Technology Skilled workers Science Addresses to the Crown
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk