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
hansard heading
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 grouped question UIN question first answered answering member label previous answer version answering member constituency answering member printed answering member label
tabling member	label

Search

1136571

registered interest
date	03/07/2019
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Apprentices: Taxation
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the value of apprenticeship levy funds expiring from employers' accounts was in June 2019; and what plans the Government has for those funds.
tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne North
tabling member printed	Catherine McKinnell
uin	272836
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/07/2019 answer text <p>The amount of funds expiring in employers’ digital apprenticeship service accounts in June 2019 was £26 million.</p><p> </p><p>As well as funding apprenticeships in levy-paying employers, levy contributions are also used to fund training for existing apprenticeship learners and new apprenticeships in non-levy paying employers. We do not anticipate that all employers who pay the levy will need or want to use all the funds in their accounts, however they are able to do this.</p> answering member constituency Guildford answering member printed Anne Milton question first answered 09/07/2019 15:17:12 answering member 1523 label Biography information for Anne Milton previous answer version 127749 answering member constituency Guildford answering member printed Anne Milton answering member 1523 label Biography information for Anne Milton
tabling member	4125 label Biography information for Catherine McKinnell

1136645

registered interest
date	03/07/2019
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Child Benefit
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 effect of the policy on stopping child benefit for families whose children start apprenticeships on social mobility.
tabling member constituency	Cambridge
tabling member printed	Daniel Zeichner
uin	272853
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/07/2019 answer text <p>The underlying principle of an apprenticeship is that it is a paid job, and the benefits system treats an apprenticeship in the same way as any other job. Apprentices are employed and do not have to contribute to the costs of their learning, and acquire skills much valued in the labour market. Apprentices on low incomes may be able to claim Universal Credit or tax credits to help with living costs.</p><p>As paid employment and a foundation for a successful career, an apprenticeship sets young people up on the path to financial independence. On average, a level 2 apprenticeship boosts your earnings by 11% and a level 3 apprenticeship by 16%.</p> answering member constituency Guildford answering member printed Anne Milton grouped question UIN 272854 question first answered 08/07/2019 14:28:12 answering member 1523 label Biography information for Anne Milton
tabling member	4382 label Biography information for Daniel Zeichner

1136646

registered interest
date	03/07/2019
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Child Benefit: Apprentices
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 effect of the policy on stopping child benefit for families whose children start apprenticeships on access to and take up of apprenticeships.
tabling member constituency	Cambridge
tabling member printed	Daniel Zeichner
uin	272854
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/07/2019 answer text <p>The underlying principle of an apprenticeship is that it is a paid job, and the benefits system treats an apprenticeship in the same way as any other job. Apprentices are employed and do not have to contribute to the costs of their learning, and acquire skills much valued in the labour market. Apprentices on low incomes may be able to claim Universal Credit or tax credits to help with living costs.</p><p>As paid employment and a foundation for a successful career, an apprenticeship sets young people up on the path to financial independence. On average, a level 2 apprenticeship boosts your earnings by 11% and a level 3 apprenticeship by 16%.</p> answering member constituency Guildford answering member printed Anne Milton grouped question UIN 272853 question first answered 08/07/2019 14:28:12 answering member 1523 label Biography information for Anne Milton
tabling member	4382 label Biography information for Daniel Zeichner

1135784

registered interest
date	01/07/2019
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Technology: Skilled Workers
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to help ensure the supply of skilled workers in the tech sector.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	271465
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/07/2019 answer text <p>To make sure that the UK is a world-leading digital economy that works for everyone, it is crucial that individuals have the digital skills they need for life and work, including for a career in the technology sector.</p><p>We have introduced computing as a statutory national curriculum subject at all four key stages and have introduced a new Computer Science GCSE and A Level. The content was developed with industry experts to better equip pupils with the knowledge and skills they need to become active creators of digital technology.</p><p>As part of the Industrial Strategy, the government has committed substantial spending on mathematics, digital and technical education to increase the take-up and better teaching of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects in schools. For example, in November 2018 the department launched the National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE), backed by £84 million of new funding. The NCCE is run by a coalition of STEM Learning, the British Computing Society and Raspberry Pi, and supported by industry.</p><p>The NCCE is delivering a comprehensive programme of continuing professional development to improve the teaching of computing and drive up participation in computer science at GCSE and A level, particularly amongst girls. We expect that this will help equip these young people with the knowledge they need to pursue a career in the technology sector.</p><p>We are also improving careers advice in schools so that young people are aware of the high-quality options available for both technical and academic routes into digital careers, and that they have access to information about the variety of careers that digital technology pathways have to offer. STEM activities, including employer talks and workplace visits, are built into school career programmes. The Careers &amp; Enterprise Company funds opportunities for young people to meet a wide range of STEM employers, including those from the technology sector.</p> answering member constituency Guildford answering member printed Anne Milton question first answered 09/07/2019 15:16:59 answering member 1523 label Biography information for Anne Milton
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1135822

registered interest
date	01/07/2019
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Vocational Guidance: Secondary Education
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent steps he has taken to improve careers information and guidance for secondary school leavers.
tabling member constituency	Newcastle-under-Lyme
tabling member printed	Paul Farrelly
uin	271399
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/07/2019 answer text <p>Our careers strategy, published in December 2017, committed investment, support and resources to help schools make visible and lasting improvements. It endorses the Gatsby Benchmarks of Good Career Guidance, based on rigorous national and international research. The benchmarks help schools develop a programme of high quality careers advice and all schools are expected to meet the 8 benchmarks by the end of 2020.</p><p>To support schools in implementing the benchmarks, we have funded 1,300 bursaries for face-to-face careers leader training and have established a network of 40 careers hubs. Hubs bring together schools, colleges, Local Enterprise Partnerships, businesses and careers organisations to work together towards achieving the benchmarks.</p><p>We are also funding The Careers &amp; Enterprise Company to help connect schools and colleges with employers, to provide meaningful encounters with the world of work for young people. Through its Enterprise Adviser Network, over 2,000 business volunteers have been matched to schools and colleges to help them develop their careers education plans.</p><p>Under the Baker clause, introduced in January 2018, all secondary schools must invite providers of technical education and apprenticeships to talk to all pupils to support them to understand their full range of options. Schools must also publish a policy statement setting out these opportunities and make sure that this statement is followed.<strong><br> </strong></p> answering member constituency Guildford answering member printed Anne Milton question first answered 09/07/2019 15:25:19 answering member 1523 label Biography information for Anne Milton
tabling member	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly

1135847

registered interest
date	01/07/2019
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Apprentices: Public Consultation
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the March 2019 report by the National Audit Office and current inquiry by the Public Accounts Committee into apprenticeships, if he will launch a public consultation on the future of the apprenticeships programme.
tabling member constituency	Scunthorpe
tabling member printed	Nic Dakin
uin	271482
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/07/2019 answer text <p>We welcome the Public Accounts Committee’s recent report and were pleased that the Committee has acknowledged our focus on putting quality at the heart of our apprenticeship reforms.</p><p>The government is carefully considering the Committee’s findings and will respond in due course. We keep all aspects of our policy under review in order that apprenticeships continue to support employers in developing the skills they need to grow, in addition to offering value for money for the taxpayer.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Guildford answering member printed Anne Milton question first answered 09/07/2019 15:37:02 answering member 1523 label Biography information for Anne Milton
tabling member	4056 label Biography information for Nic Dakin

1135848

registered interest
date	01/07/2019
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Apprentices: Taxation
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether apprenticeship levy-paying employers will continue to be able to use half of the funds that they contribute to the apprenticeship levy; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Scunthorpe
tabling member printed	Nic Dakin
uin	271483
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/07/2019 answer text <p>Levy-paying employers are able to use all of the funds that they contribute to the apprenticeship levy and which are available to them in their apprenticeship service account. In addition, employers receive a 10% top-up to the funds entering their account every month which they are also able to spend on apprenticeship training and assessment.</p><p>We continue to keep all aspects of funding policy under review.</p> answering member constituency Guildford answering member printed Anne Milton question first answered 09/07/2019 14:45:42 answering member 1523 label Biography information for Anne Milton
tabling member	4056 label Biography information for Nic Dakin

1135849

registered interest
date	01/07/2019
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Apprentices: Taxation
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to help apprenticeship levy-paying employers to use more of the levy funding available to them than the 15 per cent that they used between 2017 and 2019; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Scunthorpe
tabling member printed	Nic Dakin
uin	271484
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/07/2019 answer text <p>Spending on apprenticeships is demand-led. Employers can choose the type, level and quantity of apprenticeships that they offer, as well as when they offer the apprenticeships, to meet their current and future skills needs.</p><p>Between May 2017 and April 2019, levy-paying employers spent 18% of the funds available to them on the training and assessment of new apprentices. In addition, levy-paying employers will also have benefitted from ongoing funding for apprenticeships for their employees which started prior to the introduction of the levy. They will also benefit from additional payments to support apprentices employed with levy-payers (such as English and Maths teaching and payments to support disadvantaged learners), and 95% of the funding for training for any apprenticeships started once their levy funds have been exhausted.</p><p>The Education and Skills Funding Agency works closely with employers, for example through webinars and employer roadshows, to encourage them to increase the number of apprenticeships that they offer and make the most of the long-term benefits that apprenticeships can bring to their organisations. We have ongoing face-to-face support for over 1,000 of the largest levy-paying employers through our national account managers, and ongoing support via telephone for small and medium-sized enterprises to encourage them to invest their levy funds.</p><p>To further support all employers to make the long-term, sustainable investment in training, we have increased the amount that levy-paying employers can transfer to other employers from 10% to 25%.</p><p>We do not anticipate that all levy-payers will use all the funds in their accounts. Income from the levy is also used to fund apprenticeship training for non-levy paying employers.</p> answering member constituency Guildford answering member printed Anne Milton question first answered 09/07/2019 15:12:08 answering member 1523 label Biography information for Anne Milton
tabling member	4056 label Biography information for Nic Dakin

1135850

registered interest
date	01/07/2019
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Retail Trade: Apprentices
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 reasons for the reduction in retail sector apprenticeship starts between 2012 and 2017.
tabling member constituency	Scunthorpe
tabling member printed	Nic Dakin
uin	271485
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/07/2019 answer text <p>The retail framework had around 1,000 starts in 2017/18, with a further 8,300 on the new retail standards. Two of the largest supermarkets were involved in the design of these standards.</p><p> </p><p>It is important to recognise that apprenticeships are paid jobs and can be subject to wider labour market and economic pressures. The impact of a number of companies closing down, online shopping and automation means that there has been a general decrease in recruitment within the retail sector.</p><p> </p><p>In 2018, I hosted a roundtable with employers in the retail sector, including John Lewis and Greene King, to explore some of the challenges and opportunities for apprenticeships in retail, and we continue to work closely with employers to better understand these.</p><p> </p><p>Earlier this year, I met with the British Retail Consortium, and I am in regular contact with ministers from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on the issue.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Guildford answering member printed Anne Milton question first answered 09/07/2019 16:54:49 answering member 1523 label Biography information for Anne Milton
tabling member	4056 label Biography information for Nic Dakin

1135858

registered interest
date	01/07/2019
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Apprentices: Taxation
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 20 June 2019 to Question 267319 on Apprentices: Taxation, how frequently his Department plans to publish expiry of funds information for the apprenticeship levy.
tabling member constituency	Scunthorpe
tabling member printed	Nic Dakin
uin	271486
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/07/2019 answer text <p>We do not currently intend to publish expiry of funds information for the apprenticeship levy as a matter of course.</p> answering member constituency Guildford answering member printed Anne Milton question first answered 09/07/2019 15:21:58 answering member 1523 label Biography information for Anne Milton
tabling member	4056 label Biography information for Nic Dakin