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Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Bill

My Lords, our amendment is simple and neatly complements that of Amendment 227, moved by the noble Baroness, Lady Walmsley, which inserts a "timeliness" objective into Ofqual’s remit. We have already heard her clear and helpful explanation of why this objective is necessary and why Cambridge Assessment has thought to recommend it. I should like to raise two points. The first is that Cambridge Assessment feels that it is not accurate to dismiss this amendment as unnecessary because the Bill already includes the need for efficiency. The Government may argue that the virtues of efficiency and effectiveness presuppose timeliness, but this is not, in fact, the case. As noble Lords will be aware, this was exemplified when the failure to co-ordinate the introduction of Curriculum 2000 meant that courses started before the textbooks had even been printed. I hope that the Minister will have a different answer from that provided at the Committee stage in the Commons. I am sure that, after consideration, the Minister will be prepared to accept that it is sensible to make it explicit that Ofqual must ensure that the delivery of its functions is timely. I draw attention to the amendment tabled by my noble friend Lady Perry. We have consistently argued throughout the Bill for greater employer engagement in education and skills. At no period is this more important than during a time of recession, where reskilling and further education become important parts of adapting to a changing job market. In this vein, Amendment 237 also seems to have a sensible principle at its heart. We have been looking at the objectives of Ofqual in a rather arcane manner; it is important to consider that a major function of Ofqual is to ensure that standards are maintained in order to benefit the learner, whether this is in terms of broadening their mind or becoming more suited to a particular job or role. Finally, I add my support to the amendment tabled by my noble friend Lord Eccles. With characteristic care, he has pointed out that it is important that Ofqual should not only have regard to government policy but also to the guidance around such policy. The Government have consistently been using the protection of guidance to reassure the House that amendments will be catered for. Does the Minister agree that it should therefore follow that Ofqual should be required to have regard to it as well as government policy? I look forward to the Minister’s response.