:00:00. > :00:00.me for a round-up of the dax in both Houses of Parliament at 11pl
:00:00. > :00:12.tonight. Questions now to the Business Secretary and his
:00:13. > :00:20.ministerial team. Order, order. Questions to the Secretary of State
:00:21. > :00:22.for Business, Innovation and Skills. Over 2.4 million apprenticeship
:00:23. > :00:27.starts have been delivered hn England since May 2010 but now we
:00:28. > :00:32.are going further. We are committed to 3 million more of this p`rliament
:00:33. > :00:37.and will ensure they developed - develop the skills to continue
:00:38. > :00:49.growth. Here's wishing to group these questions. We need to fill a
:00:50. > :00:52.million more digital jobs and in this context, I am sure the
:00:53. > :00:58.secretary of state will agrde with the science and technology
:00:59. > :01:04.committee's report published that cuts spending. It is an invdstment
:01:05. > :01:09.and not a state subsidy that creates jobs and attracts inward investment
:01:10. > :01:13.and is essential for stem apprentices seeking British
:01:14. > :01:17.employers. Can I commend my honourable friend on her le`dership
:01:18. > :01:22.of the science and technology committee. She is right to talk
:01:23. > :01:29.about science and information and digital skills. Yesterday I made it
:01:30. > :01:36.speeds where I set out and revealed plans to boost science and
:01:37. > :01:41.innovation capabilities. Thdre were seven and 40 new apprentices in my
:01:42. > :01:43.constituency last year. On the Secretary of State congratulate the
:01:44. > :01:48.hundreds of new apprentices and confirm he will continue to work to
:01:49. > :01:53.improve not just the quantity, but the quality of apprenticeshhps going
:01:54. > :01:57.forward? I am delighted to congratulate those that havd started
:01:58. > :02:02.apprenticeships in my honourable friend's constituency. Therd has
:02:03. > :02:07.been an increase of 45% since 2 10 and these are high-quality paid jobs
:02:08. > :02:12.that last at 12 months. The whole house should acknowledge thd work
:02:13. > :02:21.that has been done on apprenticeships and it is focused on
:02:22. > :02:27.not just quantity, but qualhty. My constituency takes on 12 and 18 new
:02:28. > :02:29.apprentices each year. Just under 700 apprenticeship starts in the
:02:30. > :02:38.last 12 months in my constituency and business are responding. Can I
:02:39. > :02:41.urge him to make sure these apprentices are worthwhile `nd high
:02:42. > :02:46.skilled so that those undertaking them really benefit from thdir
:02:47. > :02:52.apprenticeships? I am delighted my honourable friend's constittency has
:02:53. > :02:56.seen a 37% increase since 2010. He is very passionate about thhs and
:02:57. > :03:02.has done much to promote apprenticeships. He is right to talk
:03:03. > :03:09.about the quality. They are widening access to professions giving people
:03:10. > :03:13.routes to professional educ`tion at some of our best universitids. The
:03:14. > :03:18.Secretary of State talks a good game but the facts are that a prhnt ship
:03:19. > :03:27.starts have dropped in everx single year since 2011/12. Will thd
:03:28. > :03:30.Minister say that given current uncertainty around key policy act
:03:31. > :03:38.specs such as the apprenticdship levy, he will struggle to mdet that
:03:39. > :03:45.target? I point out that apprenticeship starts for the year
:03:46. > :03:49.2014/ 15/400 92000 and that was up 50,000 on the previous year. He
:03:50. > :03:56.raises the apprenticeship ldvy but I hope you will agree with me that
:03:57. > :04:04.this will be a way to make sure we get proper funding for
:04:05. > :04:13.apprenticeships and there is more quantity rather than qualitx. We
:04:14. > :04:18.have secured a site for the high-speed railway. We want to get
:04:19. > :04:23.on with developing and expanding apprenticeships in the rail
:04:24. > :04:30.industry. Does he still back the site in Doncaster for the college
:04:31. > :04:33.for High Speed Rail? We are committed to this college and it is
:04:34. > :04:38.not only right it is in Doncaster but it will make a big diffdrence to
:04:39. > :04:57.skills and what is a very ilportant area for future infrastructtre. What
:04:58. > :05:04.impact does he think hitting further colleges on apprenticeships? My
:05:05. > :05:09.priority is to make them stronger and one way we are going to do that
:05:10. > :05:18.is through the local area vhews that will look at local needs. The video
:05:19. > :05:22.gaming industry contributes over ?3 billion to our economy, supporting
:05:23. > :05:27.skilled jobs across the country including my own constituency. The
:05:28. > :05:33.biggest barrier to growth for them, they tell me is skills. Yet there
:05:34. > :05:39.are no employee led level for higher apprenticeships in video galing and
:05:40. > :05:44.the next generation skills @cademy which is working to develop one has
:05:45. > :05:49.lost its funding. We can't `llow the Government's lack of a digital
:05:50. > :05:52.skills strategy to make it game over for Britain. So will the Secretary
:05:53. > :05:59.of State guaranteed to me now, that the video gaming industry whll have
:06:00. > :06:06.the apprentice standard it needs? Yes, or no? The honourable lady
:06:07. > :06:10.should be reassured. I have met with the video gaming industry to discuss
:06:11. > :06:15.a number of issues including skills and she will know that when it comes
:06:16. > :06:19.to apprenticeships, it is hhghly important they are employer led and
:06:20. > :06:23.it is up to any industry to come forward with proposals and we are
:06:24. > :06:28.working with over 1000 employers on 140 apprenticeship programmds that
:06:29. > :06:36.they are helping to set up `nd we will work with the video galing
:06:37. > :06:40.industry also. I would like to group this with number 16. The Government
:06:41. > :06:45.is working with industry through the aerospace growth partnership to
:06:46. > :06:51.remove the barriers to growth and grow high-value jobs. We support the
:06:52. > :06:56.industry's investment in productivity and skills. I `m
:06:57. > :07:01.grateful to my right honour`ble friend for that answer. Will he join
:07:02. > :07:06.with me in congratulating Boeing who have the base in my constittency for
:07:07. > :07:10.more than doubling its workforce since 2010 and increasing investment
:07:11. > :07:17.in UK suppliers from 1 billhon to 1.4 billion over that period?
:07:18. > :07:23.Certainly. It is an important area for aerospace. They have a great
:07:24. > :07:26.service facility which has ` large number of Boeing dream line are
:07:27. > :07:36.similarities in the world. Ht also is home to London Gatwick Ahrport.
:07:37. > :07:41.Can I commend my honourable friend on the work he has done to promote
:07:42. > :07:51.this industry. The last fin`ncial quarter saw the highest aircraft
:07:52. > :07:54.deliveries. Many aerospace companies commend the growth partnership as
:07:55. > :07:58.playing a key role in that success. Can the secretary of state confirm
:07:59. > :08:06.he will continue to support this valuable partnership? I can. I see
:08:07. > :08:09.regular dialogue with the sdctor councils as a vital part of our
:08:10. > :08:13.industry approach. It is important that the UK continues to be more
:08:14. > :08:17.productive and more competitive and this has been central to thd work of
:08:18. > :08:24.the aerospace growth partnership. I will be meeting with many of the
:08:25. > :08:33.representatives on December three in Filton. Will be Secretary of State
:08:34. > :08:37.confirmed today that he will continue and the UK Governmdnt will
:08:38. > :08:41.continue to fund the aerosp`ce growth partnership through hts 1
:08:42. > :08:45.billion contribution over sdven years from 2013 and that he is not
:08:46. > :08:50.considering in anyway day looting the funding that is available for
:08:51. > :08:57.the growth partnership and hn particular converting it to loans?
:08:58. > :09:01.The Government is absolutelx committed to seeing a strong
:09:02. > :09:05.aerospace sector and that strength is represented by our commitment to
:09:06. > :09:09.the aerospace technology Institute which is what the honourabld
:09:10. > :09:14.gentleman was referring to. Discussions move ahead with the
:09:15. > :09:18.UK's first spaceport. Safetx and the safety of the general public as a
:09:19. > :09:25.primary importance in considering the location of such a spacdport.
:09:26. > :09:31.Extensive as they should be hampered by commercial flying and it will
:09:32. > :09:37.make a critical condition to any safety assessment. The honotrable
:09:38. > :09:41.lady is right and stop the safety is paramount in that sector. Wd have
:09:42. > :09:49.consulted on the location and we will be talking to our colldagues on
:09:50. > :09:53.the outcome. As the Secretary of State is aware, I have world leading
:09:54. > :09:56.aerospace companies in my constituency and they are
:09:57. > :10:01.appreciative of the help thd Government is given to the sector.
:10:02. > :10:04.The August problem may have is the inability to recruit suffichent
:10:05. > :10:08.numbers of young people who are considering engineering as `
:10:09. > :10:12.career. What discussions is in heaven with his right honourable
:10:13. > :10:14.friend the Education Secret`ry about persuading teachers to enlighten
:10:15. > :10:16.people who are considering engineering as a career. Wh`t
:10:17. > :10:18.discussions is in heaven with his right honourable friend the
:10:19. > :10:21.Education Secretary about pdrsuading teachers to enlighten peoplds as --
:10:22. > :10:25.exist in the sector? He raises a very important point. Skills in
:10:26. > :10:30.engineering, not just for this sector but many others, are hugely
:10:31. > :10:34.important. With the Education Secretary, we are working to get
:10:35. > :10:37.more employers into schools to talk to schoolchildren about thehr
:10:38. > :10:42.prospects and opportunities that exist amassed area. There is more we
:10:43. > :10:53.can do and we are right to raise this issue. Last week, Paul Everitt,
:10:54. > :10:59.the head of the of the aerospace... Said loans are not appropri`te and
:11:00. > :11:01.that approach would put the UK at a disadvantage. Can I press the
:11:02. > :11:05.Secretary of State to answer my honourable friend's question and
:11:06. > :11:09.rule out replacing research grants and loans which would damagd
:11:10. > :11:14.Britain's ability to innovate and complete?
:11:15. > :11:22.I made this speech yesterdax, I talked about how there are lany ways
:11:23. > :11:26.to help the sector, grants hs one way, there are other ways to help,
:11:27. > :11:29.export, skilled. We will not shy away from supporting that sdctor,
:11:30. > :11:41.innovation. Number three. The best way the government can
:11:42. > :11:46.support manufacturers is by sticking to its long-term economic plan,
:11:47. > :11:49.including cutting red tape by ? 0 billion, creating 3 million
:11:50. > :11:57.apprenticeships, lowering corporation tax and devolving
:11:58. > :12:02.budgets and Palace to local leaders. Myler -- by constituency has a
:12:03. > :12:05.strong Manufacturing sector, I help promote the industry by org`nising a
:12:06. > :12:11.skills though, which I hope he will attend next year. What a system scan
:12:12. > :12:16.the Government gift to Cumbria to attract skilled workers, not just
:12:17. > :12:25.from Cumbria but from other areas, to help complete large projdcts
:12:26. > :12:28.such as the nuclear new-build? I commend him on his skills though,
:12:29. > :12:33.which is making a big difference to his constituents. He will bd pleased
:12:34. > :12:37.to learn that the advanced Manufacturing Centre at Carlisle
:12:38. > :12:46.College will begin construction in 2016/17, and there is no dotbt it
:12:47. > :12:50.will help to boost local skhlls Does he not accept that, although it
:12:51. > :12:56.is important that employers have a leading role in the developlent of
:12:57. > :13:01.skills, it is also necessarx that skills are transferable, and unless
:13:02. > :13:05.the further education sector is involved in the process of training
:13:06. > :13:11.people and giving them thosd skills, they will not necessarily bd
:13:12. > :13:23.transferable? I agree about the importance of transferability, Alan
:13:24. > :13:26.further education sector will look at local needs at that issud of
:13:27. > :13:33.making sure the skills are transferable. What steps is he
:13:34. > :13:37.taking to protect British Manufacturing from dumping on our
:13:38. > :13:44.market, maximising the effect of existing international rules? He
:13:45. > :13:53.will know that when it comes to trade measures, that is acthon that
:13:54. > :13:57.has to be taken by the EU. He has an interest in steel, it is an
:13:58. > :14:01.important issue, about dealhng with unfair trade. We discussed ht at the
:14:02. > :14:05.emergency council that I attended yesterday in Brussels. One thing
:14:06. > :14:11.that was agreed is that the commission said -- should prioritise
:14:12. > :14:19.certain cases, including thd steel industry. Last week my constituents
:14:20. > :14:23.and at job losses of up to 200 highly skilled jobs in the
:14:24. > :14:29.manufacturing sector. The Scottish Government and devolved agencies are
:14:30. > :14:33.involved, but this is a classic move off where a European companx is
:14:34. > :14:40.going to be shipping the process and jobs to another prank -- another
:14:41. > :14:43.plant in the EU, so what can the UK Government do to stop such loves in
:14:44. > :14:51.the future and encourage long-term investment here? We can continue to
:14:52. > :14:56.make the UK as attractive as possible for manufacturers. What we
:14:57. > :15:03.have seen is that output is up, exports are up, jobs are up, because
:15:04. > :15:06.of our long-term economic plan, that is bringing in tax cuts, investing
:15:07. > :15:13.in skills, cutting red tape and boosting exports. Will he bring
:15:14. > :15:18.forward details of packages of support to be put in place to help
:15:19. > :15:23.those workers in the Black Country affected by the collapse of the
:15:24. > :15:26.company, including 54 in my constituency, so that these skills
:15:27. > :15:35.can be retained in the local engineering sector? He is rhght to
:15:36. > :15:42.raise this issue, it is important that workers are affected -, who are
:15:43. > :15:46.affected can get whatever hdlp that can be provided, we have rolled out
:15:47. > :15:53.plans for support and we ard talking to local leaders to see what more we
:15:54. > :15:56.can do. The official opposition has had to drag the government kicking
:15:57. > :16:02.and screaming here time aftdr time to get them to stand up for British
:16:03. > :16:05.steel-making, it has been almost two weeks since the Business Secretary
:16:06. > :16:10.went to Brussels to hurry along the European Commission on statd aid
:16:11. > :16:14.approval, and yesterday he `ttended the EU competitive council, but
:16:15. > :16:17.whilst there were pledges for the future, no action was agreed that
:16:18. > :16:22.will make a material differdnce to our steel industry now. How long
:16:23. > :16:26.must the industry continue to wait for the compensation packagd
:16:27. > :16:32.promised by the Prime Minister in 2011 to be paid in full? Whdn is the
:16:33. > :16:36.Business Secretary going to get a grip, stop hiding behind thd EU and
:16:37. > :16:44.do more to tackle the root causes of this crisis? It is a shame that she
:16:45. > :16:54.has to take this kind of attitude. She would be more constructhve. .
:16:55. > :16:58.Under 13 years of the Labour Party we saw 45% collapse in steel
:16:59. > :17:03.production in this country, jobs halved, cut by more than 10,000
:17:04. > :17:09.because of her Government's policies. We are taking this
:17:10. > :17:13.seriously. When we had a medting at the emergency council, which we
:17:14. > :17:17.called for, and was granted, we agreed on actions, they havd been
:17:18. > :17:25.published, and there will bd further information. Number five.
:17:26. > :17:35.I am sorry. Could I assure the honourable lady that the government
:17:36. > :17:39.published its consultation on the introduction of market rent only
:17:40. > :17:41.option on the 29th of Octobdr, the proposals have been drafted to
:17:42. > :17:45.strike a fair balance betwedn the pub companies and tenants, `nd we
:17:46. > :17:50.look forward to hearing views from across the industry during the
:17:51. > :17:55.consultation period. The dr`ft code released by the Minister was
:17:56. > :18:01.supposed to signal the end of the unfair practice of forcing tenants
:18:02. > :18:06.to purchase their beer only from pub cos. They can only purchase from the
:18:07. > :18:16.open market in exceptional circumstances. I do not agrde with
:18:17. > :18:25.her assessment of the consultation. I re-emphasise, the clue is in the
:18:26. > :18:30.name, consultation. We are puite rightly publishing our proposals,
:18:31. > :18:32.but it is a consultation, and I look forward to representations from
:18:33. > :18:39.everybody, including the honourable lady. I wish to join the honourable
:18:40. > :18:43.lady for Sheffield and say that a number of pubs have closed hn my
:18:44. > :18:46.constituency and those of mx colleagues because property prices
:18:47. > :18:53.and rents are too high. I rdcognise we need to keep the pub companies in
:18:54. > :19:00.business as well, so does she agree with me that exceptional
:19:01. > :19:05.circumstances would include any situation where a pub would have to
:19:06. > :19:10.close because the rent is too high? It is useful and helpful and I thank
:19:11. > :19:16.him for making that contribttion. I look forward to him putting that
:19:17. > :19:27.into the consultation, becatse this -- these mixed views are crhtical to
:19:28. > :19:31.what is a consultation. Ten`nts groups and the fair Deal calpaign
:19:32. > :19:35.have contacted me to say th`t they believe they have acted in bad faith
:19:36. > :19:41.and that the draft code of practice for pubs does not even a bite with
:19:42. > :19:45.the legislation, and negates the market rent only option, so they
:19:46. > :19:49.will be asking her tomorrow to withdraw the code, which is
:19:50. > :19:54.unacceptable, and engage with them and come up with something that does
:19:55. > :20:02.what this has said in November. I am disappointed to hear that, let me
:20:03. > :20:09.make it clear, I have stood up in my constituency against planned
:20:10. > :20:15.closures of public houses, `gainst companies like Greene King, you can
:20:16. > :20:19.look on my website. But most importantly, it is important that we
:20:20. > :20:27.strike the right balance. It is important, PRA, he was not `lways in
:20:28. > :20:32.favour of it, he changed his mind at the last moment, is not in the code,
:20:33. > :20:38.and I am grateful to the noble Lords in the other house... Shouthng from
:20:39. > :20:47.a sedentary position does not assist at all. The new style of politics
:20:48. > :20:52.has not quite reached the Lhberal Democrat benches yet. Noble Lords
:20:53. > :21:00.have made their concerns very clear to the lady baroness. As a result of
:21:01. > :21:03.that, that proposal will now go into the second part of the constltation
:21:04. > :21:14.and everybody can be assured of that. Thank you very much. The
:21:15. > :21:18.so-called consultation scrapped the promised parallel and assessments,
:21:19. > :21:21.so I am pleased to hear she has put it back in, but will she do the same
:21:22. > :21:27.with all of the provisions offered by the baroness in the other house
:21:28. > :21:31.on the 20th of January and lake sure that the vast majority of ptb
:21:32. > :21:36.tenants are offered a fair deal when it comes to the market rent only
:21:37. > :21:40.option? If she does not, shd will be acting in bad faith, and shd will
:21:41. > :21:47.have betrayed the trust of thousands of pub tenants up and down the
:21:48. > :21:50.country. As I keep saying, ht is a consultation, so we will listen to
:21:51. > :21:56.everybody. It is important that we strike the balance fairly for both
:21:57. > :21:59.sides of the argument. It is also important that we understand and
:22:00. > :22:03.accept that there has been ` great deal of movement to the betterment
:22:04. > :22:09.for the tenants over the last few years. We must understand and
:22:10. > :22:16.recognise that. I know from my constituency work that pub companies
:22:17. > :22:26.have hugely changed their vhews to the benefit of tenants, and that
:22:27. > :22:30.must be welcomed. Number six. We must empower businesses to compete
:22:31. > :22:35.more effectively by acceler`ting the integration of the single m`rket,
:22:36. > :22:38.especially in services, dightal and the energy sectors, by cutthng red
:22:39. > :22:41.tape for business and pushing for more ambitious free-trade agreements
:22:42. > :22:47.between the EU and the rest of the world. Does he agree that in the
:22:48. > :22:53.best interests of business, they will be served by being a mdmber of
:22:54. > :23:03.a reforming EU, and that dods extend to remaining in the single larket?
:23:04. > :23:10.It is also extraordinarily tseful that the EU can negotiate stch good
:23:11. > :23:15.strong deals for us globallx. He is absolutely right to raise the
:23:16. > :23:21.importance of the need for DU reform. But many businesses do
:23:22. > :23:30.believe that as things currdntly stand, the cost of membershhp today
:23:31. > :23:35.outweighs the benefits. As the PM said, for us to get the best deal,
:23:36. > :23:42.we must have this referendul and let the British people decide. Last week
:23:43. > :23:48.a group of senior business figures in the Northwest said it was vital
:23:49. > :23:52.for jobs in our region that Britain stays in the EU. We'll be Government
:23:53. > :23:56.heed that and make a priority to continue the ?800 million of EU
:23:57. > :24:02.structural funds given to the Northwest?
:24:03. > :24:09.The one thing that businessds agree on is the need for reform, they are
:24:10. > :24:13.all united on that, whichevdr business group you speak to. If we
:24:14. > :24:17.can get those reforms, which I am confident about, and the Prhme
:24:18. > :24:23.Minister has talked about them, we will see an even bigger boost for
:24:24. > :24:31.Britain. Would he remind thd house of the trade deficit we havd with
:24:32. > :24:38.the EU? Clearly, at the momdnt, the unreformed EU is not working for
:24:39. > :24:42.British business. He is quite right to remind us of that deficit that
:24:43. > :24:45.currently exists, that is why one of the reforms we want to see hs a
:24:46. > :24:51.deeper and poured a single larket that includes things like dhgital
:24:52. > :24:54.services, professional servhces thinks that Britain is very good at,
:24:55. > :25:01.alongside manufacturing, so we can do more trade. In the Telegraph the
:25:02. > :25:05.Prime Minister's potential successor, Boris Johnson, s`id the
:25:06. > :25:12.Prime Minister was right to achieve a section of the blade that might
:25:13. > :25:15.said Britain free from the DU. Has said Britain free from the DU. Has
:25:16. > :25:19.he made an assessment of thd likely impact on Scottish business of
:25:20. > :25:20.Britain turning its back on its European trading partners, `nd if
:25:21. > :25:33.that appropriate language? What I agree on is that we need
:25:34. > :25:37.reform. All members on this side of the house agree on the need to fight
:25:38. > :25:43.for that reform, which means cutting red tape, having a deeper shngle
:25:44. > :25:49.market, more ambitious free,trade agreements, and I hope she will join
:25:50. > :25:53.us in fighting for that reform. A poll of Scottish business l`st month
:25:54. > :26:04.found that 82% support Scottish small and medium businesses want to
:26:05. > :26:09.stay in the EU. It create wdalth and jobs at home. This government has
:26:10. > :26:13.lost all control of the exit agenda that was only started to appease the
:26:14. > :26:16.right-wing Eurosceptic backbenchers and may result in Scotland being
:26:17. > :26:24.dragged into delusional impdrial isolation against its well.
:26:25. > :26:31.Can I welcome the honourabld lady into her new role. She will no one
:26:32. > :26:35.of the most important sectors in Scotland as the financial sdrvices
:26:36. > :26:40.industry with its asset man`gement, banking and that is one are` where
:26:41. > :26:45.we could have a deeper markdt and do more trade with the rest of the EU.
:26:46. > :26:53.If she supports that scores, she will support our efforts to reform
:26:54. > :27:02.the EU. While overall international student numbers are up year on year,
:27:03. > :27:08.there were 16,000 Indian sttdents in 2015, decline of the past three
:27:09. > :27:14.years. India remains our second-largest search market. I
:27:15. > :27:18.thank my honourable friend for his answer. The numbers of studdnts
:27:19. > :27:23.choosing to come here have declined by 53% over the last four ydars and
:27:24. > :27:27.there is a concern that we need to do something about it so th`t
:27:28. > :27:31.Britain becomes the choice for Indians to study, rather th`n the
:27:32. > :27:35.United States or elsewhere. What measures can he take in terls of
:27:36. > :27:45.users, changing best times for study and the ability of students here to
:27:46. > :27:49.work? It is in -- important and with clear this up. We are open to
:27:50. > :27:54.international students and there is no cap on the number of students
:27:55. > :28:00.that can come and study herd. There's no cap on those that stay
:28:01. > :28:07.here after they finish, providing they get a job. We want to welcome
:28:08. > :28:11.more Indian students here. The honourable Deadman says we want to
:28:12. > :28:15.make more Indian students fdel welcome here but it is clear from
:28:16. > :28:21.the figures that they feel luch more welcome in America, Canada,
:28:22. > :28:25.Australia. Isn't this going to have a substantial impact on Britain s
:28:26. > :28:29.trade relations with India `nd other countries like Pakistan, whdre the
:28:30. > :28:35.figures have fallen? What is the minister going to do about ht?
:28:36. > :28:40.Overall, international studdnt numbers are up year-on-year. We have
:28:41. > :28:43.a competitive offer of international students and have a world-class
:28:44. > :28:48.higher education sector with 38 out of the world's top 100 univdrsities.
:28:49. > :28:57.It is not surprising nation`l students want to study here. Can I
:28:58. > :29:01.ask the Minister, when his department is going to show some
:29:02. > :29:05.leadership and get the Home Office to take students out of the
:29:06. > :29:10.migration figures? This Govdrnment is undermining the global rdach of
:29:11. > :29:15.our universities and it is @merica, Canada and Australia that is
:29:16. > :29:19.benefiting. We have a competitive offer is underlined by the fact that
:29:20. > :29:25.year-on-year student numbers are up three to 4%. We work closelx to
:29:26. > :29:27.ensure our international offer is competitive and it remains
:29:28. > :29:32.competitive and will remain to do so. There is no cap on international
:29:33. > :29:44.students come to this country and no limit to those that want to go on
:29:45. > :29:54.and work. I am delighted to report that the UK Trade Investmdnt has
:29:55. > :30:02.increased. It is working and we have secured an extra 60 billion in sales
:30:03. > :30:06.and the rise in exports is 46%. The life sciences also doing thdir bit.
:30:07. > :30:12.I recently signed a 2 billion trade deal with China and there whll be
:30:13. > :30:16.more announcements with the Indian state visit. Britain brews the best
:30:17. > :30:20.beer in the world and I know the minister wants to get our brewers
:30:21. > :30:27.exporting. Sadly, the Brewers tell us that would be performancd here,
:30:28. > :30:35.they couldn't brewery. Will he do all he can to
:30:36. > :30:40.help medium and family sized brewers export across the world? He is a
:30:41. > :30:47.doughty champion for British beer and he makes a very important point.
:30:48. > :30:53.We need to roll out the barrel for British beer and I am delighted my
:30:54. > :31:01.right honourable friend for DEFRA has set out a plan to make sure the
:31:02. > :31:08.whole world gets to taste otr beer and food. In Northern Ireland, our
:31:09. > :31:17.food industry depends on exports. Would -- what further steps will
:31:18. > :31:23.business take in terms of accessing new market opportunities for British
:31:24. > :31:26.and Northern Ireland exports? Northern Ireland is a cruci`l part
:31:27. > :31:40.of the UK sector and other ,- and that is why we have set up the
:31:41. > :31:43.export tasks -- task force. Small and medium-sized businesses are
:31:44. > :31:49.still not getting the attraction that they need from UK TIA. We do
:31:50. > :31:58.everything possible to help James of collars to engage with one `nother
:31:59. > :32:05.week and hit our exports? There is an important review of the way UKTI
:32:06. > :32:08.works and makes sure we are developing strategic market focused
:32:09. > :32:18.around the world. We are mahntaining the momentum and improving on it to
:32:19. > :32:21.hit that ambitious target. The deficit this department is
:32:22. > :32:25.responsible for is the tradd deficit and on the current account which
:32:26. > :32:33.manages our ability to pay our way in the world, it recently rdached a
:32:34. > :32:39.height since the Second World War at 3.6% of GDP. How were refushng to
:32:40. > :32:43.have an industrial strategy at all help British exporters to overcome
:32:44. > :32:53.the failure of this Governmdnt's trade policy? He picked the wrong
:32:54. > :32:59.Minister. I read -- lead ond of the most sex acts for one on life
:33:00. > :33:05.sciences. -- successful ones on life sciences. We are leading in building
:33:06. > :33:09.a long-term economic plan for the science and innovation of tomorrow.
:33:10. > :33:14.He can quote trade balance figures all he likes. We are in the global
:33:15. > :33:21.economy and we cannot control the way other economies are growing
:33:22. > :33:24.around the world. We are crdating a direct of labour market enforcement
:33:25. > :33:28.which will strengthen our ability to use find and stop exploitathve
:33:29. > :33:33.employers like before to businesses in my honourable friend's
:33:34. > :33:41.constituency that have had their gang masters licenses revokdd.
:33:42. > :33:46.Lincolnshire provide some of the finest food in the country. Does he
:33:47. > :33:49.agree it should be as much down to supermarkets and consumers to make
:33:50. > :33:58.sure that everyone knows th`t the food we eat is produced inhtmane
:33:59. > :34:02.conditions? It is a very important thing that supermarkets and other
:34:03. > :34:05.traders are as transparent `s possible about the work thex have
:34:06. > :34:10.done to ensure nowhere in their supply train, there is any slavery
:34:11. > :34:13.or any labour exploitation. The Modern Slavery Bill act reqtires
:34:14. > :34:27.them to make a statement of that kind. There is an area revidw taking
:34:28. > :34:42.place. The Sussex coast revhew will recommend high-quality sust`inable
:34:43. > :34:47.and financial viability. We have good and improving colleges
:34:48. > :34:51.providing apprenticeships, training and education. Having taken large
:34:52. > :34:56.cuts, can the Minister shall be that the area review is not just a cover
:34:57. > :35:06.for an cuts that will threaten the viability altogether and whx schools
:35:07. > :35:11.are not included in those rdviews? Regional school commissions are
:35:12. > :35:13.required to be part of the `rea reviews and where, in some parts of
:35:14. > :35:18.the country, they have been surprised by this requirement, I'm
:35:19. > :35:22.happy to reassert it here. They are required to be part of thosd area
:35:23. > :35:29.reviews. The point of area reviews is to have strong sustainable sixth
:35:30. > :35:32.form colleges that can take advantage of growing revenud streams
:35:33. > :35:43.like the funding for apprenticeships. I am sorry to
:35:44. > :35:46.detain you yet further. Dat` from the 2014 UK commission employee
:35:47. > :35:52.perspective survey showed in England 15% of establishments have offered
:35:53. > :35:56.formal apprenticeships. When we introduced the apprenticeshhp levy,
:35:57. > :36:02.we expected this percentage to increase significantly. I fhnd it
:36:03. > :36:10.anything other than joyous to sample his mellifluous tones. I have not
:36:11. > :36:19.been detained by anybody and I shall always be here. The apprenthceship
:36:20. > :36:22.service has been formed by the Chamber of Commerce and county
:36:23. > :36:26.council and is forming many apprenticeships. When he do all he
:36:27. > :36:33.can to ensure businesses thdmselves played the major role in increasing
:36:34. > :36:37.the number of apprenticeships? I really am delighted that thd Suffolk
:36:38. > :36:42.authorities and Chamber of Commerce have created this service whll stop
:36:43. > :36:46.a number of authorities havd created similar things, friendship pubs and
:36:47. > :36:49.the like. It is a worthwhild intervention by local authorities,
:36:50. > :36:55.but he is right that ultimately what we wanted employees to take control
:36:56. > :36:59.of this, employees to develop standards and employers to control
:37:00. > :37:04.the funding and employers to ensure more people get the opportunity of
:37:05. > :37:07.an apprenticeship. Can you tell me three things which the Government is
:37:08. > :37:12.doing to encourage friendshhps and construction where there is a huge
:37:13. > :37:20.shortage? I am delighted to be able to tell him. Firstly, we ard
:37:21. > :37:24.introducing and a pension ldvy which would have been welcomed because it
:37:25. > :37:29.will require larger employers to make a substantial investment. We
:37:30. > :37:33.have reformed the constructhon leadership Council and charge them
:37:34. > :37:40.with taking a very active role in promoting apprenticeships. Third, I
:37:41. > :37:43.meet regularly with the verx focused leadership team on the construction
:37:44. > :37:47.industry training board and have charged them with focusing on
:37:48. > :37:58.apprenticeships as the key lethod of delivering high quality trahning and
:37:59. > :38:03.further skills. You can see why I was nervous about popping up again.
:38:04. > :38:06.We are working closely with a group of leading sector employers to
:38:07. > :38:12.support the development of ` new apprentice ship standard. The
:38:13. > :38:18.standard will equip apprenthces with the could mend the road haulage
:38:19. > :38:23.industry needs. QWERTY name five... No, I won't go there. Will xou work
:38:24. > :38:28.with employees of the road haulage industry to incentivise driving as a
:38:29. > :38:34.career choice for young people going forward? I absolutely well `nd there
:38:35. > :38:39.is a desperate need for mord skilled drivers and it is a great
:38:40. > :38:43.opportunity for people who `re in low skilled employment. We had an
:38:44. > :38:46.interesting discussion with a Cabinet committee recently `bout
:38:47. > :38:53.this being an opportunity for ex-offenders as a very good first
:38:54. > :38:56.employment. The defence minhster has said it is a good opportunity for
:38:57. > :39:00.people leaving the forces and we need to do it on all sides of the
:39:01. > :39:08.Government. What can the Government do to help all this compares with
:39:09. > :39:13.the fees of ?3500 being charged to train people for HGV licencds? There
:39:14. > :39:19.is a convention we have stuck to wit is that we do not ask the t`sk -
:39:20. > :39:21.taxpayer to pay for licences to practice a particular kind of
:39:22. > :39:25.profession. We do believe that should be directly in interdst of
:39:26. > :39:30.both the employer and emploxee who's going to benefit from having that
:39:31. > :39:34.license. Are encouraging thdm and they are working on develophng an
:39:35. > :39:37.apprenticeship standard, whhch will include the rest of the trahning and
:39:38. > :39:46.that will receive substanti`l support from the taxpayer and the
:39:47. > :39:53.pension levy. According to the latest finance monitor survdy, net
:39:54. > :39:56.lending has increased subst`ntially and businesses are increasingly
:39:57. > :40:01.finding the banks are more willing to lend. In relation to Govdrnment
:40:02. > :40:10.assistance, we have provided finance help to small businesses through
:40:11. > :40:15.38,800 start-up loans where ?17 million turned to the self-dmployed.
:40:16. > :40:18.Julie Dean is carrying out `n independent review of
:40:19. > :40:21.self-employment and I am sure we will welcome her recommendations and
:40:22. > :40:28.we need to do more to make sure everyone knows about the brhlliance
:40:29. > :40:33.of the financial Tech centrd. Picking up on small businesses, she
:40:34. > :40:36.will be aware that the Secrdtary of State visited last Friday in the
:40:37. > :40:44.West Midlands, accompanied by the business hub. It is indicathve of
:40:45. > :40:48.the sort of thing that recolmends that the Government maintains its
:40:49. > :40:52.positive level of support for businesses. Can she assure le that
:40:53. > :40:57.that will be the case of thd business hubs are such a good link
:40:58. > :41:01.with them? This is an excellent company but these things ard really
:41:02. > :41:04.important. One of the other things is that we encourage small
:41:05. > :41:07.businesses to look at those alternative sources of fundhng and
:41:08. > :41:12.that is why the sector is doing so well. Crowdfunding, peer-to,peer,
:41:13. > :41:14.angels and so on. This is the information we need to get out,
:41:15. > :41:23.especially at a local level. She will be aware that therd are a
:41:24. > :41:27.lot of people in my constittency who go into self-employment as one of
:41:28. > :41:32.their first steps into employment, but they are likely to be unfamiliar
:41:33. > :41:39.with the system. How can shd make sure that people will be aw`re of
:41:40. > :41:42.the options open to them? Wd offer information to people, we h`ve the
:41:43. > :41:47.British business bank who ptt together the various funds that are
:41:48. > :41:51.available to small businessds. One reason that I am in favour of some
:41:52. > :41:54.of these devolution deals is because it is beginning to put that sort of
:41:55. > :41:59.activity right down to the local level, you have this coming together
:42:00. > :42:02.of local authorities, busindsses, the local enterprise partnership, so
:42:03. > :42:07.we can get this sort of information out. The Federation of Small
:42:08. > :42:11.Businesses, the Chambers of commerce have a huge role to play, they do
:42:12. > :42:19.excellent work, often at a local level. Number 15. I work closely
:42:20. > :42:24.with the Foreign Secretary through the export task force, to ddliver
:42:25. > :42:29.growth for British business. UK businesses send 45% of their exports
:42:30. > :42:35.to the EU, the reforms we are pursuing are good for the ET, the UK
:42:36. > :42:42.and British business. 160,000 jobs in the north-east rely on trade with
:42:43. > :42:45.the EU, we are the only reghon in the country to consistently deliver
:42:46. > :42:50.a trade surplus, what assur`nces can he give my constituents, many of
:42:51. > :42:54.whom are concerned about wh`t an isolated Britain on the fringes of
:42:55. > :42:58.Europe might mean for their jobs and livelihoods? Is he going to vote to
:42:59. > :43:07.stay in the EU and stand up for British jobs? She has some dxcellent
:43:08. > :43:10.manufacturers and other companies in her constituency, including Nissan,
:43:11. > :43:17.which recently announced a huge investment. One thing that business
:43:18. > :43:23.once is more certainty around the EU, and reform. They have wdlcomed
:43:24. > :43:27.the reforms we are fighting for and the certainty that the referendum
:43:28. > :43:34.will bring. One of the biggdst impact on UK business is thd EU
:43:35. > :43:37.social chapter. As recently as the Conservatives' 2010 manifesto, it
:43:38. > :43:44.said, we would negotiate thd return of power over employment
:43:45. > :43:51.legislation. Is this still going to happen or have we gone backwards in
:43:52. > :43:56.our ambition? We have set ott our priorities in terms of making the
:43:57. > :44:00.whole of the EU more compethtive, including cutting red tape, more
:44:01. > :44:05.free-trade agreements, we h`ve set out in detail what these prhorities
:44:06. > :44:07.are, but I have listened to what he has had to say and will reflect on
:44:08. > :44:20.it. Topical questions. Numbdr one. My first and foremost priorhty has
:44:21. > :44:25.been doing what I can to help the steel industry, I was grantdd an
:44:26. > :44:29.emergency European Council beating yesterday and which led to ` number
:44:30. > :44:35.of actions being agreed. I wish to reiterate our support for the people
:44:36. > :44:38.who have lost their jobs recently, this is a difficult time for all
:44:39. > :44:44.those affected, we are resolutely on your side. Many businesses hn the
:44:45. > :44:49.construction sector are still suffering from excessive levels of
:44:50. > :44:53.retention taken by the primd contractors, what more can he do to
:44:54. > :45:00.encourage the phasing out of this before the 2025 deadline? Hd raises
:45:01. > :45:03.a very important point, a ntmber of others have made it to me rdcently,
:45:04. > :45:08.cash retention is a common practice which can provide assurance for
:45:09. > :45:12.customers against poor worklanship, but there is scope for misuse, that
:45:13. > :45:20.is why the governor and has commissioned a review and wd will
:45:21. > :45:23.see what action we can take. Further education has already weakened from
:45:24. > :45:28.five years of Government funding cuts, so why are ministers having 50
:45:29. > :45:34.reviews which threaten and force college closures? With the Commons
:45:35. > :45:41.library figures suggesting `t least ?1.6 billion further educathon cuts
:45:42. > :45:45.and the new green paper, ard ministers doing anything to stop
:45:46. > :45:53.further education being the whipping boy?
:45:54. > :46:01.We have discussed this during this session. What we want to sed is an
:46:02. > :46:04.even stronger further education sector, that provides even lore
:46:05. > :46:10.opportunities across the cotntry. The local reviews are essential in
:46:11. > :46:13.doing that, we need to understand local needs much more careftlly and
:46:14. > :46:22.that is what those reviews will achieve. Then we will be able to
:46:23. > :46:26.offer more opportunities. M`ny of us, English members, whilst not
:46:27. > :46:30.being able to recall individual results in the Rugby World Cup, we
:46:31. > :46:35.were proud that England hosted the Rugby World Cup. Can he indhcate
:46:36. > :46:43.what he estimates the posithve economic impact of hosting the Rugby
:46:44. > :46:48.World Cup to be? Independent consultants estimated pretotrnament
:46:49. > :46:52.that it would attract over 460, 00 international visitors to England
:46:53. > :46:58.and Wales, the highest ever for a World Cup, which would add tp to ?1
:46:59. > :47:02.billion to the UK GDP, which is excellent, and we will know whether
:47:03. > :47:06.that was accurate when the hmpact statement and all of that work has
:47:07. > :47:14.been done sometime in May. By way of an anecdote, the member for rugby,
:47:15. > :47:20.the birthplace of this great game, reports one of his businessds
:47:21. > :47:26.reporting an increase in turnover of 250% purely as a result of this
:47:27. > :47:33.great tournament. A sixth form college in my constituency does an
:47:34. > :47:38.important job. The FA sector colleges and other post-16 provision
:47:39. > :47:42.in Hull are deemed to be good or outstanding, so can the Minhster
:47:43. > :47:47.guarantee that this vital provision in developing the skills agdnda in
:47:48. > :47:55.the city will be protected `nd not decimated by the cuts that his
:47:56. > :47:58.Government is likely to propose The importance of sixth form colleges
:47:59. > :48:04.and further education colleges in all communities is shared bx all of
:48:05. > :48:08.us, we all recognise it and rely on them and value them, but we need
:48:09. > :48:13.them to be stronger, and th`t is what the reviews are about, enabling
:48:14. > :48:18.them to form arrangements whth each other that strengthen them for the
:48:19. > :48:22.future. I would also point out that this will be of less relevance to
:48:23. > :48:26.the sixth form college, but for further education, the fundhng going
:48:27. > :48:30.into apprenticeship training is growing very fast, and thosd
:48:31. > :48:38.colleges have a great opportunity to get funding for the future. Happy to
:48:39. > :48:44.follow. With the visit of N`rendra Modi happening this week, c`n he
:48:45. > :48:48.described the different trade, educational and bilateral
:48:49. > :48:54.arrangements that will be announced during this visit? I commend the
:48:55. > :48:59.work of my honourable friend that he has done to boost ties betwden India
:49:00. > :49:05.and Great Britain. There will be commercial announcements th`t will
:49:06. > :49:10.be made. It will demonstratd the breadth of relation between the UK
:49:11. > :49:14.and India, covering health care energy, financial services, creative
:49:15. > :49:19.industries, boosting both economies. Later next month I will be leading a
:49:20. > :49:19.trade mission to boost educ`tion exports, alongside the science
:49:20. > :49:30.minister. In the Green paper the minister says
:49:31. > :49:34.he wants to improve access to higher education for the most disadvantaged
:49:35. > :49:37.students. Will he match this with action, protecting the studdnt
:49:38. > :49:40.opportunity fund that does so much to support young people frol across
:49:41. > :49:47.the country to realise their potential? Indeed, we set ott
:49:48. > :49:52.proposals on which we want to consult with the sector, I have also
:49:53. > :49:55.announced the creation of a social mobility task force to report to me
:49:56. > :50:00.by Christmas with proposals for how to meet the Prime Minister's target
:50:01. > :50:07.of doubling the proportion of people from disadvantaged backgrounds
:50:08. > :50:13.attending university by 2020. The Government is making large
:50:14. > :50:17.investment in infrastructurd in my area, and I am trying to encourage
:50:18. > :50:23.large-scale inward investment. What can he do to help us build on local
:50:24. > :50:28.skills in research and develop and? Through our growth deal with the
:50:29. > :50:33.heart of the South West loc`l enterprise partnership we h`ve
:50:34. > :50:36.invested ?6.5 million in Hinkley point and Yeovil College and its
:50:37. > :50:39.partners can bid to that to build capacity and deliver skills
:50:40. > :50:43.training. The local enterprhse partnership is leading work with
:50:44. > :50:48.partners to develop an action plan to deliver the instruction skills
:50:49. > :50:52.that the area will need. Thd Minister appears shy about telling
:50:53. > :50:55.us when the compensation scheme for energy intensive industries will be
:50:56. > :51:01.introduced or whether it will be ahead of the original planndd date.
:51:02. > :51:06.I give -- will he give thought to other industries, with a vidw to
:51:07. > :51:09.providing sufficient compensation for them as they face greatdr
:51:10. > :51:13.competition uniquely becausd of the high cost of additional UK
:51:14. > :51:20.Government energy and climate electricity taxes? Yesterdax's
:51:21. > :51:26.meeting that was held by thd Secretary of State in Brussdls, the
:51:27. > :51:29.presidency agreed that this matter should be prioritised, we are
:51:30. > :51:33.waiting for the EU to sign off on it, and we are told it will be in a
:51:34. > :51:42.matter of weeks, but we are doing everything we can to advancd it I
:51:43. > :51:46.welcome this Government's albition for 3 million apprenticeship is in
:51:47. > :51:51.this Parliament, three times the number of the last Labour
:51:52. > :51:55.administration. As these nulbers rise, will be Minister ensure that
:51:56. > :52:02.these provide high-quality skills that our young people deserve and
:52:03. > :52:06.that our employers demand? Absolutely, there is no point having
:52:07. > :52:09.3 million apprenticeships unless they are high-quality and adding to
:52:10. > :52:14.the skills of the people who them, that is why we are introduchng new
:52:15. > :52:19.standards, developed by employers, they have to last at least ` year
:52:20. > :52:27.and involve 20% of formal training, and we are introducing highdr
:52:28. > :52:30.apprenticeships. I was at mx constituency, talking to
:52:31. > :52:34.administrators last Friday, and the house will send their condolences to
:52:35. > :52:39.the poor family. Could be Mhnister say what specific steps can be taken
:52:40. > :52:42.to preserve these skilled jobs for the future, given there are
:52:43. > :52:50.infrastructure projects comhng up in the West Midlands? We are lhstening
:52:51. > :52:51.to what we are asked to do, but as she knows, in relation to
:52:52. > :52:57.steelworkers who have been redundant, notably at Redcar, with
:52:58. > :53:01.Morpheus for Scunthorpe and rather rum, we have put in substantial
:53:02. > :53:04.amounts of the big money to make sure that these highly skilled
:53:05. > :53:10.workers get the opportunitids they need to retrain. The amount of money
:53:11. > :53:14.for Redcar is ?16.5 million, in Scunthorpe it is starting at 3
:53:15. > :53:19.million, and we have alreadx started the work with Rotherham, thdre will
:53:20. > :53:25.be money for them if we get more bad news. The issue of switching
:53:26. > :53:29.suppliers is acute in the mobile phone space, 6% of users ch`nge
:53:30. > :53:33.contracts each year, many fhnd it difficult to find the best deals.
:53:34. > :53:39.What plans does the Governmdnt have to improve switching and prhce
:53:40. > :53:42.transparency? The Government is determined to encourage mord
:53:43. > :53:47.consumers to vote with their feet in key markets like energy, banking and
:53:48. > :53:51.mobile phones. We are conducting a call for evidence on a set of six
:53:52. > :53:58.switching principles which will make the process quicker and easher for
:53:59. > :54:02.consumers, and my honourabld friend will shortly be writing to the Chief
:54:03. > :54:05.Executive 's of mobile telephone companies to encourage them to
:54:06. > :54:14.cooperate fully with these new principles. The group which is
:54:15. > :54:21.headquartered in my constittency and currently in administration provides
:54:22. > :54:26.high-quality steel products for the supply chains for both the lotor
:54:27. > :54:31.industry and these products are difficult to source from elsewhere.
:54:32. > :54:37.What is the Minister going to do to ensure that these companies
:54:38. > :54:41.survive? Could I first apologise, I should have added my condoldnces to
:54:42. > :54:46.the family on their loss yesterday. One of the difficulties, it is not
:54:47. > :54:52.as simple as saying it is a decline in the industry, we note th`t in
:54:53. > :54:56.Hartlepool a difficulty was a decline in the oil and gas, but we
:54:57. > :54:59.will work with anybody to m`ke sure that workers that need extr` skills
:55:00. > :55:06.to transfer into new jobs are going to have that opportunity. What steps
:55:07. > :55:10.is the minister taking to promote reform of the EU regulations
:55:11. > :55:17.specifically of biotechnology and life science? She raises an
:55:18. > :55:22.excellent point, I was yestdrday in Brussels, convening a summit with EU
:55:23. > :55:26.leaders on bioscience, we are pushing for an enlightened
:55:27. > :55:35.regulation to support EU and UK leadership in -- for global benefit.
:55:36. > :55:38.Can I ask the Minister why further education and skills has bedn kept
:55:39. > :55:44.out by his department from the Liverpool city region deal? It is
:55:45. > :55:49.crucial for the region. I al not directly responsible, but there are
:55:50. > :55:54.many such deals around the country which have specifically majored on
:55:55. > :55:59.the inclusion of skills, Manchester and elsewhere. I am happy to look
:56:00. > :56:01.into it, but I am sure it is not because we resisted, becausd we are
:56:02. > :56:07.keen for local authorities to take a bigger role.
:56:08. > :56:15.Could I refer the minister back to his earlier and so regarding HGV
:56:16. > :56:20.shortage? Someone attend my surgery he wanted to establish themselves as
:56:21. > :56:29.a trainer for HGV drivers. Gritty look again at the support which such
:56:30. > :56:34.people get as there is a long way to go in resulting more drivers to be
:56:35. > :56:38.available. When there is a `n apprenticeship standard for HGV
:56:39. > :56:42.drivers, then he will be able to offer the training to emploxers for
:56:43. > :56:46.that apprenticeship and sectre the funding that the Government will be
:56:47. > :56:50.providing through the apprenticeship levy and through other publhc
:56:51. > :56:56.resources. I welcome the decision that the Department has madd on
:56:57. > :57:00.blind applications to university, but the Minister will note this does
:57:01. > :57:11.little to deal with the prejudice of class and race. Postcode is just as
:57:12. > :57:19.important and what progress is being made on contextual data? It is a
:57:20. > :57:23.priority to increase the amount of disadvantaged people going to
:57:24. > :57:32.university. We have to introduce for the 27 admission -- 2017 adlissions
:57:33. > :57:39.cycle, people should be admhtted on the basis of merit. A dazzlhng array
:57:40. > :57:44.of eager beavers on both sides of the House. For British businesses
:57:45. > :57:51.operating highly regulated sectors like the legal sector, injure remit
:57:52. > :57:56.-- India remains a hot markdt to get into, even more so than China. Will
:57:57. > :58:02.the Secretary of State use this week's visit to move long-standing
:58:03. > :58:08.discussions on the cervix -, service sector forward? He is right to raise
:58:09. > :58:12.this issue. There is a lot of trait that India and Britain do together
:58:13. > :58:18.and a lot more that we can do. It is the kind of issues that we look
:58:19. > :58:26.forward to raising this week. As has been well documented, the Mhnister
:58:27. > :58:30.'s opposite promised ?80 million for Redcar for training and economic
:58:31. > :58:36.development. 30 million of that will be saved for pension and thd
:58:37. > :58:40.payments. Over 90% of peopld have received their payments. Wh`t is not
:58:41. > :58:46.spent on redundancies, will it stay in the region and go to the people
:58:47. > :58:54.of red car and not be sucked back into the Treasury? Early ag`in today
:58:55. > :58:59.I met with officials and sahd that the remaining money, I wantdd to go
:59:00. > :59:03.over to Redcar so people thdre can determine how it is going to be
:59:04. > :59:14.spent for the benefit of her constituents. Will the Minister join
:59:15. > :59:17.me in congratulating Jack H`mmond to inspiring apprentices who addressed
:59:18. > :59:25.a joint educational and Seldct Committee seminar that last week?
:59:26. > :59:28.Does she agree that apprenthces sharing the experiences in this way
:59:29. > :59:35.can demonstrate a business hs the real value of employing apprentices?
:59:36. > :59:40.I certainly would like to congratulate her constituent and as
:59:41. > :59:42.she puts it, there are no bdtter advocates for apprenticeships than
:59:43. > :59:46.apprentices themselves who have completed them. Not a bunch of
:59:47. > :59:49.middle aged people like us but begin people themselves, going into their
:59:50. > :59:57.schools and preaching the vhrtues of apprenticeships. The Scottish
:59:58. > :00:01.Government programme on the First Minister announced three new
:00:02. > :00:05.innovation centres for Scotland across Europe, one of which will be
:00:06. > :00:09.based here in the great European capital City of London. How does his
:00:10. > :00:13.Government plan to support that centre to make sure that Scottish
:00:14. > :00:20.businesses can compete on the world stage? We continue to support
:00:21. > :00:26.innovation across the UK and I was pleased to be up in Glasgow laying
:00:27. > :00:33.the turf for a new innovation Centre in Glasgow can stop Scotland punches
:00:34. > :00:37.above its weight with 11% share compared to 8% share of the
:00:38. > :00:45.population and I hope it continues to do so. Statement, the Minister of
:00:46. > :00:50.State for Europe. Minister David Liddington. I would like to make a
:00:51. > :00:55.statement upon the Government's EU re-negotiation. As the Housd knows,
:00:56. > :00:59.this Government was elected with a mandate to renegotiate the TK's
:01:00. > :01:04.relationship with the Europdan Union had a van in-out referendum by the
:01:05. > :01:08.end of 2017. Since July, technical talks have taken place in Brussels
:01:09. > :01:12.to inform our analysis of the legal options for reform. Today, the prime
:01:13. > :01:16.list has written to the President of the European Council to set out the
:01:17. > :01:17.changes that we wanted to