Our ambitious child poverty strategy puts more money into the pockets of families and working parents. Removing the two-child cap benefits 2,260 children in my constituency, and the Secretary of State is doing much more on top of that, which we are missing out on in Scotland. Does she agree with me that we need a Government in Scotland who are more interested in education than gimmicks?

Our ambitious child poverty strategy puts more money into the pockets of families and working parents. Removing the two-child cap benefits 2,260 children in my constituency, and the Secretary of State is doing much more on top of that, which we are missing out on in Scotland. Does she agree with me that we need a Government in Scotland who are more interested in education than gimmicks?

My hon. Friend is absolutely right, and that is why people across Scotland should vote for Anas Sarwar and Scottish Labour. Last month I was in Scotland hearing directly from parents about the difference that lifting the two-child limit will make—measures that were opposed by the Conservatives, who would plunge hundreds of thousands of children back into poverty. There is so much more that we could do together if we had a Government in Scotland who were as determined to tackle child poverty as this Labour Government are. It is time for change and a new direction in Scotland.

My hon. Friend is absolutely right, and that is why people across Scotland should vote for Anas Sarwar and Scottish Labour. Last month I was in Scotland hearing directly from parents about the difference that lifting the two-child limit will make—measures that were opposed by the Conservatives, who would plunge hundreds of thousands of children back into poverty. There is so much more that we could do together if we had a Government in Scotland who were as determined to tackle child poverty as this Labour Government are. It is time for change and a new direction in Scotland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the effect of the policy on stopping child benefit for families whose children start apprenticeships on social mobility.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the effect of the policy on stopping child benefit for families whose children start apprenticeships on social mobility.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the effect of the policy on stopping child benefit for families whose children start apprenticeships on access to and take up of apprenticeships.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the effect of the policy on stopping child benefit for families whose children start apprenticeships on access to and take up of apprenticeships.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether his Department has made a comparative assessment of trends in the level of (a) sure start centres and (b) child benefit claims.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether his Department has made a comparative assessment of trends in the level of (a) sure start centres and (b) child benefit claims.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the statement by the Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills on 19 April (HC Deb, col 713), how they calculated the figure of £200 million per annum, by 2020–21, as the extra cost of enabling parents of apprentices aged under 20 to continue to...

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the statement by the Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills on 19 April (HC Deb, col 713), how they calculated the figure of £200 million per annum, by 2020–21, as the extra cost of enabling parents of apprentices aged under 20 to continue to...

Letter dated 27/04/2017 from Lord Nash to Lord Watson of Invergowrie regarding the estimated annual cost of amendment 1a of the Technical and Further Education Bill as discussed during Lords consideration of Commons amendments. 1p.

Letter dated 27/04/2017 from Lord Nash to Lord Watson of Invergowrie regarding the estimated annual cost of amendment 1a of the Technical and Further Education Bill as discussed during Lords consideration of Commons amendments. 1p.

Lords amendments considered. The Speaker announced that Lords amendment 1 engaged Commons financial privilege. Motion to disagree to Lords amendment 1, discussed with motion to disagree to Lords amendment 6, proposing amendment (a) in lieu, and to consider Lords amendments 2 to 5 and 7 to 18. Agreed to on division (298 to 182). Lords amendment 1 accordingly disagreed to. Lords amendment 6 disagreed to, with amendment (a) made in lieu. Lords amendments 2 to 5 and 7 to 18 agreed to. Motion that a Committee be appointed to draw up Reasons to be assigned to the Lords for disagreeing to their amendment 1. Agreed to on question. Committee reported Reason and this was agreed to. Message to the Lords to communicate said Reason with the Bill and amendment.

Lords amendments considered. The Speaker announced that Lords amendment 1 engaged Commons financial privilege. Motion to disagree to Lords amendment 1, discussed with motion to disagree to Lords amendment 6, proposing amendment (a) in lieu, and to consider Lords amendments 2 to 5 and 7 to 18. Agreed to on...

I beg to move, That this House disagrees with Lords amendment 1.

I beg to move, That this House disagrees with Lords amendment 1.

This Bill was introduced to transform the prestige and culture of technical education, providing young people with the skills that they, and our country, need. It provides necessary protection for students should colleges get into financial difficulty, and ensures that the most disadvantaged are able to climb the ladder of...

This Bill was introduced to transform the prestige and culture of technical education, providing young people with the skills that they, and our country, need. It provides necessary protection for students should colleges get into financial difficulty, and ensures that the most disadvantaged are able to climb the ladder of...

Although what the Minister is saying is correct, in that those apprentices will be paid, taking child benefit away from low-income families will be a disincentive for them to take up apprenticeships. Those families will be pressed to stay in education so that they can continue to get child benefit....

Although what the Minister is saying is correct, in that those apprentices will be paid, taking child benefit away from low-income families will be a disincentive for them to take up apprenticeships. Those families will be pressed to stay in education so that they can continue to get child benefit....

The crucial point is that the vast majority of level 2 and 3 apprentices are paid more than £6.30 an hour, and 90% of them go on to jobs or additional education afterwards.

The apprenticeship programme already supports low-income groups. The funding system gives targeted support to the participation of care...

The crucial point is that the vast majority of level 2 and 3 apprentices are paid more than £6.30 an hour, and 90% of them go on to jobs or additional education afterwards.

The apprenticeship programme already supports low-income groups. The funding system gives targeted support to the participation of care...

I actually welcome that proposal. We have heard lots of evidence that schools are not allowing FE colleges and apprenticeship providers to access their students and to tell them what the options are post-16. That, of course, is because of the “bums on seats” funding regime for post-16 studies in...

I actually welcome that proposal. We have heard lots of evidence that schools are not allowing FE colleges and apprenticeship providers to access their students and to tell them what the options are post-16. That, of course, is because of the “bums on seats” funding regime for post-16 studies in...

The hon. Gentleman speaks a lot of sense on this issue. Every time I meet an apprentice, wherever I am in the country, I ask them, “Did your school encourage you to do an apprenticeship?” Nine times out of 10, they say that their school taught them nothing about apprenticeships...

The hon. Gentleman speaks a lot of sense on this issue. Every time I meet an apprentice, wherever I am in the country, I ask them, “Did your school encourage you to do an apprenticeship?” Nine times out of 10, they say that their school taught them nothing about apprenticeships...

There is a problem with that, because training providers themselves have a vested interest—just as much as the schools do—in securing those students

for their courses or apprenticeships. Is it not true that we need a much more robust process for the provision of impartial advice and guidance that does...

There is a problem with that, because training providers themselves have a vested interest—just as much as the schools do—in securing those students

for their courses or apprenticeships. Is it not true that we need a much more robust process for the provision of impartial advice and guidance that does...

We are looking at careers guidance in the long term, and at how we can make it more independent and skills-focused. I think that the work of the Careers and Enterprise Company in getting more people to do work experience, along with the money we are investing in these things,...

We are looking at careers guidance in the long term, and at how we can make it more independent and skills-focused. I think that the work of the Careers and Enterprise Company in getting more people to do work experience, along with the money we are investing in these things,...

I am grateful to the Minister for his considered exposition of the Government’s position, particularly regarding the amendments, with which we are not in dispute. I shall say something about Lords amendment 2 after turning to Lords amendment 1. We welcome the Government’s changes, particularly those to the technical parts...

I am grateful to the Minister for his considered exposition of the Government’s position, particularly regarding the amendments, with which we are not in dispute. I shall say something about Lords amendment 2 after turning to Lords amendment 1. We welcome the Government’s changes, particularly those to the technical parts...

Will the hon. Gentleman give way?

Will the hon. Gentleman give way?

I will give way in a little while. I want to make some progress on the main issue before giving way to the hon. Gentleman.

I am proud of the fact that the noble Lords considered the matter addressed in amendment 1, which I support, in considerable detail. In doing so,...

I will give way in a little while. I want to make some progress on the main issue before giving way to the hon. Gentleman.

I am proud of the fact that the noble Lords considered the matter addressed in amendment 1, which I support, in considerable detail. In doing so,...

I have listened carefully to the hon. Gentleman’s argument, which seems to involve a spending commitment of £200 million. How would he pay for that?

I have listened carefully to the hon. Gentleman’s argument, which seems to involve a spending commitment of £200 million. How would he pay for that?