Show Search Form

Search Results

registered interest	true false
date	exactly: or between: and
answering body
answering dept id
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name
house id
legislature	pref label
question text
tabling member constituency
tabling member printed
uin
answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member constituency answering member printed question first answered answering member label
tabling member	label

Search

49715

registered interest
date	06/05/2014
answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
answering dept id	26
answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many and what proportion of adults in (a) the UK and (b) the smallest geographical areas in the UK for which information is held are functionally illiterate.
tabling member constituency	Vale of Clwyd
tabling member printed	Chris Ruane
uin	197792
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/05/2014 answer text <p>The 2011 Skills for Life survey provides an estimate of adult literacy levels for people aged between 16 and 65 years-old in England, based on fieldwork conducted between May 2010 and February 2011. The headline findings of the survey were published in December 2011.[1] The survey results show that 14.9 per cent (5.1 million) of people had a literacy level below Level 1. Level 1 is viewed as the Level required to be ‘functionally literate', the level needed to get by in life and at work,[2] and so people below this level could be defined as having a low level of literacy. Level 1 is equivalent to GCSE grades D-G. Adults with skills below Level 1 can read or write, but their skills may be limited, for example, they may not be able to read bus or train timetables.</p><p> </p><p>The 2011 Skills for Life survey also provided Small Area modelled estimates[3] for sub-regional geographies. This analysis provides estimates of the proportions and numbers of people above and below the ‘functional literacy' threshold (i.e. National Qualification Framework Level 1) for sub-regional geographies in England. The smallest geographical area reported in this analysis are middle-layer super output areas – these are small areas of consistent size (of about 7,200 people) used for the collection and reporting of small area statistics by the Office of National Statistics.</p><p> </p><p>The recent OECD Survey of Adult Skills, published in 2013, based on fieldwork August 2011 and March 2012, included estimates of UK literacy levels, based on England and Northern Ireland (Scotland and Wales did not participate in the survey). National reports for England and Northern Ireland[4] based on the OECD survey note that 17 per cent of adults in England had low proficiency in literacy (i.e. at or below the OECD Level 1 in literacy, roughly equivalent to below NQF Level 1 literacy), compared to 18 per cent in Northern Ireland.</p><br /><p>[1] TNS-BMRB and AlphaPlus Consultancy Ltd. (2011) <em>2011 Skills for Life survey: headline findings,</em> Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, BIS research paper 57. Available online at: <a href="http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/further-education-skills/docs/0-9/11-1367-2011-skills-for-life-survey-findings.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/further-education-skills/docs/0-9/11-1367-2011-skills-for-life-survey-findings.pdf</a>, accessed on 07/05/2014.</p><p>[2] As defined in the Leitch review of skills. See Leitch, S. (2006) <em>Prosperity for All in the Global Economy – world class skills</em>, available online at: <a href="http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http:/www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media/6/4/leitch_finalreport051206.pdf" target="_blank">http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media/6/4/leitch_finalreport051206.pdf</a>, accessed on 07/05/2014: page 61-62.</p><p>[3] Available online at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/2011-skills-for-life-survey-small-area-estimation-data" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/2011-skills-for-life-survey-small-area-estimation-data</a>, accessed on 6/2/14.</p><p>[4] NFER (2013) The International Survey of Adult Skills: adult literacy, numeracy and problem solving skills in England, BIS research report 139. Available online at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/246534/bis-13-1221-international-survey-of-adult-skills-2012.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/246534/bis-13-1221-international-survey-of-adult-skills-2012.pdf</a>, accessed on 07/05/14.; NFER (2013) The International Survey of Adult Skills: adult literacy, numeracy and problem solving skills in Northern Ireland, Department for Employment and Learning. Available online at: <a href="http://www.delni.gov.uk/international-survey-adult-skills-2012.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.delni.gov.uk/international-survey-adult-skills-2012.pdf</a>, accessed on 07/05/14.</p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 12/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
tabling member	534 label Biography information for Chris Ruane

50036

registered interest
date	06/05/2014
answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
answering dept id	26
answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what information his Department has on the number of apprentices under 18 years who live at home.
tabling member constituency	Edinburgh West
tabling member printed	Mike Crockart
uin	197749
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/05/2014 answer text <p>Information collected centrally does not distinguish between apprentices living at home with parents and those who have moved away for the purpose of study.</p><p> </p><p>We annually ask apprentices for their views and 88% say they are satisfied with their apprenticeship.</p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 12/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
tabling member	3967 label Biography information for Mike Crockart

49407

registered interest
date	01/05/2014
answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
answering dept id	26
answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, when he intends to reply to the letter to the Minister for Skills and Enterprise dated 27 February 2014 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr John Mannion.
tabling member constituency	Manchester, Gorton
tabling member printed	Sir Gerald Kaufman
uin	197511
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/05/2014 answer text <p>Although the Department has received and responded to earlier correspondence from the Rt. Hon. Member on behalf of this constituent, we have no record of having received the letter referred to. If he could send a copy of this latest correspondence we will deal with it as a matter of urgency.</p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 12/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
tabling member	451 label Biography information for Sir Gerald Kaufman

49219

registered interest
date	30/04/2014
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what proportion of local authorities have higher than average not known rates for young people not in employment, education or training; and what steps he is taking to address such gaps in data.
tabling member constituency	Birkenhead
tabling member printed	Mr Frank Field
uin	197255
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/05/2014 answer text <p>It is local authorities who are responsible for collecting data about the activity of young people in their area.</p><p> </p><p>The Department for Education regularly publishes locally collected data on young people's activities, including the proportion of young people whose activity is not known. The latest quarterly figures covering young people of academic age 16 and 17 as at the end of December 2013 are available online at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/participation-in-education-and-training-by-local-authority. These include both the average for England and the figures for each local authority.</p><p> </p><p>The Department published statutory guidance in March 2013 setting out the requirement of local authorities to track young people's participation so that those who are not in education or training can be identified. The guidance is available online at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/participation-of-young-people-education-employment-and-training.</p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 06/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
tabling member	478 label Biography information for Lord Field of Birkenhead

49224

registered interest
date	30/04/2014
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions Ministers of his Department have had with representatives of sixth form colleges on the effects of reductions in education funding for 18 year olds on students with severe or complex disabilities.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Selly Oak
tabling member printed	Steve McCabe
uin	197273
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/05/2014 answer text <p>We are protecting the funding that sixth-form colleges receive for 18-year-old students with severe or complex disabilities. The funding reductions that apply generally to 18-year-old students do not apply to those assessed to have special educational needs, learning difficulties or disabilities.</p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 07/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
tabling member	298 label Biography information for Steve McCabe

49225

registered interest
date	30/04/2014
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the effects of reductions in education funding for 18 year olds on students with severe or complex disabilities and who attend specialist schools.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Selly Oak
tabling member printed	Steve McCabe
uin	197274
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/05/2014 answer text <p>The reductions in education funding for 18-year-old students do not apply to those with severe and complex disabilities who attend special schools. From August 2014 special schools will receive a flat rate £10,000 for all their 16- to 18-year-old student places, together with top-up funding from local authorities for individual students.</p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 07/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
tabling member	298 label Biography information for Steve McCabe

48919

registered interest
date	29/04/2014
answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
answering dept id	26
answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will take steps to put in place an inspection regime for the quality of education at private further education colleges.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	196977
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/05/2014 answer text <p>There are no plans to change the remit of The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (OFSTED) inspection regime.</p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 06/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

48920

registered interest
date	29/04/2014
answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
answering dept id	26
answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what the budget for further education was in 2005-06.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	197009
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/05/2014 answer text <p>The budget for Further Education in 2005-06, was published in the 2005 Departmental Report for the Department for Education and Skills. Please see Section E - Annexes. This report is now available on the GOV.UK website.</p><p> </p><p>The total resource budget for Further Education, Adult Learning and Skills and Lifelong Learning for 2005-06, was £9,139 million.</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/department-for-education-and-skills-departmental-report-2005" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/department-for-education-and-skills-departmental-report-2005</a></p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 06/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

48929

registered interest
date	29/04/2014
answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
answering dept id	26
answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what incentives his Department has made available to small and medium-sized businesses to take on apprentices.
tabling member constituency	Inverclyde
tabling member printed	Iain McKenzie
uin	197164
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/05/2014 answer text <p>We introduced the Apprenticeship Grant for Employers, providing £1,500 payments to encourage and support smaller employers to take on young apprentices. The 2014 Budget made available £170 million additional funding over 2014-18, which will provide over 100,000 additional incentive payments.</p><p> </p><p>This in addition to wider steps taken to make apprenticeships more attractive and accessible by simplifying the recruitment process and removing unnecessary bureaucracy.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 06/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
tabling member	4246 label Biography information for Iain McKenzie

48988

registered interest
date	29/04/2014
answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
answering dept id	26
answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps he is taking to encourage more women to franchise their businesses.
tabling member constituency	North Swindon
tabling member printed	Justin Tomlinson
uin	197026
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/05/2014 answer text <p>The Government offers a wide range of support to all types of businesses to start up and grow, including franchises, for example through the Growth Accelerator, the New Enterprise Allowance, mentoring and the Start Up Loan scheme.</p><p> </p><p>Women-led small and medium-sized businesses contribute around £82 billion to the economy. 42% of the 15,000 mentors trained through the Get Mentoring initiative are women and have contributed to the 27,000 strong mentoring network at <a href="http://www.mentorsme.co.uk/" target="_blank">www.mentorsme.co.uk</a>. The latest figures show that over 37% of Start Up Loans have gone to female entrepreneurs.</p><p> </p><p>We will continue to work closely with the Women's Business Council and others to help ensure that more women see starting and growing their own business as a real option.</p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 07/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
tabling member	4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson