Apprenticeships and Skills (Public Procurement Contracts) Bill

Debate between Philip Davies and Iain Wright

Friday 1st November 2013 Commons Chamber

[Philip Davies]

I wonder why Labour Front Benchers have so little faith in employers that they feel that they cannot be trusted to advertise in a jobcentre, and must be mandated to do so by the Labour party. The hon. Gentleman talks of value for money, and says that we should look at the bigger picture rather than seeing things simply in terms of pounds, shillings and pence. Can he explain what was the great benefit to the country of his Government’s leaving it with an annual deficit of £150 billion?

[Mr Wright]

Oh dear me. I think that the Bill describes exactly what we need to do in order to secure the country’s economic success. When those in government—centrally or locally—spend money, they should look to the long term, and ensure that they can provide the skills and training opportunities that are needed for the future by giving young people a chance. I believe that that is central to what we need to be doing.

I fully support what my hon. Friend the Member for Denton and Reddish is trying to do, and I hope that the Minister does as well.