Business of the House Debate

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Department: Leader of the House

Business of the House

Clive Jones Excerpts
Thursday 12th March 2026

(1 day, 9 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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Alan Campbell Portrait Sir Alan Campbell
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The performance of Conservative-run West Sussex county council on potholes was raised with me only last week. I am sure that the council will have heard my hon. Friend’s contribution, which I hope will spur it into action.

Clive Jones Portrait Clive Jones (Wokingham) (LD)
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Duncan-Lynch Precision Engineering is a successful specialist manufacturing company established over 60 years ago. It would like to take on a number of new apprenticeships—good, well-paid jobs for local young people—but is struggling to find apprentices and appropriate courses. That is a clear concern for the business and for young people seeking good careers. Can we have a debate in Government time to discuss how to boost the uptake of apprenticeships and improve the courses available to manufacturing and engineering businesses?

Alan Campbell Portrait Sir Alan Campbell
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The tragic record of the previous Government was a fall in apprenticeships. This Government are committed to reversing that decline, which is why we have a £725 million growth and skills levy. Our reforms will help to deliver 50,000 new apprenticeships. In our first year, we helped over 350,000 people into apprenticeships. Should the hon. Gentleman wish to seek a meeting with a Minister to explore what more can be done, I will arrange it.