Asked by: Toby Perkins (Labour - Chesterfield)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many students were enrolled onto Level 3 courses that are not due to receive funding after 2025 in the (a) 2021-22 and (b) 2022-23 academic year; and how many students studied the T-Level equivalent courses in the same period.
Answered by Robert Halfon
The department does not routinely publish 16-19 enrolment data for individual qualifications. However, in the second stage consultation response on level 3 reforms, the department included enrolment estimates at 16-19 that could be impacted by the reforms to level 3 qualifications. This impact assessment is accessible at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/review-of-post-16-qualifications-at-level-3-in-england.
In the reformed system, students will be able to choose to study a T Level, a programme of A levels, a mixed study programmes of A levels and alternative academic or technical qualifications, or where there is no T Level coverage, a large alternative academic qualification. The department will publish the list of qualifications in May 2024 that have been approved for funding from 2025.
Further data on T Levels can be found in the 2022/23 T Level action plan, available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/t-level-action-plan.
Asked by: Toby Perkins (Labour - Chesterfield)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many FE institutions in England offer (a) level 2 and (b) level 3 vocational courses in (i) horticultural, (ii) construction, (iii) IT and (iv) engineering related subjects in 2022 compared with 2010.
Answered by Robert Halfon
The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) course directory contains information on courses offered by learning providers who are contracted with the ESFA.
The course directory is a public record dating back to 2014, but does not date back to 2010 as requested.
The course directory can be accessed at: https://www.data.gov.uk/dataset/0bfbec0c-6d9a-4f52-97bb-b680bbfcfa44/esfa-course-directory.
Asked by: Toby Perkins (Labour - Chesterfield)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what specific steps she has taken to increase the numbers of students studying (a) bricklaying, (b) joinery, (c) plastering, (d) civil engineering, (e) plumbing and (f) roofing.
Answered by Robert Halfon
To support more employers and learners to access apprenticeships the department is increasing funding in England to £2.7 billion by 2024/25. Employers have designed over 650 high-quality apprenticeship standards, across every sector, to support them to develop the skilled workforces they need. There are a range of apprenticeship standards available in these specific sectors such as:
T Levels include one or more occupational specialisms to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed for a particular area. For example, students taking the Onsite Construction T Level can choose from specialisms in Bricklaying or Plastering, and the Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing T Level includes specialisms in Mechanical or Electrical engineering. Other T Levels available include Accounting, Engineering and Digital, with Craft and Design, Media, Broadcast and Production available from September.
The department has introduced Skills Bootcamps which offer free, flexible courses of up to 16 weeks, giving people the opportunity to build up sector-specific skills, with an offer of a job interview on completion. Skills Bootcamps around the country are available in many sectors covering digital, construction, arboriculture and agriculture, engineering, design for backstage theatre and many others.
We have also launched the Free Courses for Jobs offer which allows eligible adults to access over 400 Level 3 qualifications (A level equivalent) for free, in subject areas including engineering, construction, digital, health and social care and accounting.
In Higher Education (HE), the Strategic Priorities Grant is supporting teaching and students in HE, including expensive to deliver subjects, such as science and engineering. We are investing an additional £750 million over the next three years to support high quality teaching and facilities including in science and engineering. This includes the largest increase in government funding for the HE sector to support students and teaching in over a decade.
Careers education, information, advice and guidance is a crucial first step to supporting individuals to access excellent education and skills training. Driven nationally by the internationally recognised Gatsby Benchmarks, secondary schools and colleges are embedding career learning in the curriculum and providing young people with tailored advice and guidance, including more opportunities to learn about skills and apprenticeships. Through our National Careers Service digital offer and campaigns, such as Get the Jump and Skills for Life, we are bringing together information about education and training courses into one place for learners of all ages.
Asked by: Toby Perkins (Labour - Chesterfield)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she is taking steps to increase the number of people studying (a) accounting, (b) architecture and (c) quantity surveying.
Answered by Robert Halfon
To support more employers and learners to access apprenticeships the department is increasing funding in England to £2.7 billion by 2024/25. Employers have designed over 650 high-quality apprenticeship standards, across every sector, to support them to develop the skilled workforces they need. There are a range of apprenticeship standards available in these specific sectors such as:
T Levels include one or more occupational specialisms to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed for a particular area. For example, students taking the Onsite Construction T Level can choose from specialisms in Bricklaying or Plastering, and the Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing T Level includes specialisms in Mechanical or Electrical engineering. Other T Levels available include Accounting, Engineering and Digital, with Craft and Design, Media, Broadcast and Production available from September.
The department has introduced Skills Bootcamps which offer free, flexible courses of up to 16 weeks, giving people the opportunity to build up sector-specific skills, with an offer of a job interview on completion. Skills Bootcamps around the country are available in many sectors covering digital, construction, arboriculture and agriculture, engineering, design for backstage theatre and many others.
We have also launched the Free Courses for Jobs offer which allows eligible adults to access over 400 Level 3 qualifications (A level equivalent) for free, in subject areas including engineering, construction, digital, health and social care and accounting.
In Higher Education (HE), the Strategic Priorities Grant is supporting teaching and students in HE, including expensive to deliver subjects, such as science and engineering. We are investing an additional £750 million over the next three years to support high quality teaching and facilities including in science and engineering. This includes the largest increase in government funding for the HE sector to support students and teaching in over a decade.
Careers education, information, advice and guidance is a crucial first step to supporting individuals to access excellent education and skills training. Driven nationally by the internationally recognised Gatsby Benchmarks, secondary schools and colleges are embedding career learning in the curriculum and providing young people with tailored advice and guidance, including more opportunities to learn about skills and apprenticeships. Through our National Careers Service digital offer and campaigns, such as Get the Jump and Skills for Life, we are bringing together information about education and training courses into one place for learners of all ages.
Asked by: Toby Perkins (Labour - Chesterfield)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what specific steps she has taken to increase the numbers of students studying horticultural subjects.
Answered by Robert Halfon
To support more employers and learners to access apprenticeships the department is increasing funding in England to £2.7 billion by 2024/25. Employers have designed over 650 high-quality apprenticeship standards, across every sector, to support them to develop the skilled workforces they need. There are a range of apprenticeship standards available in these specific sectors such as:
T Levels include one or more occupational specialisms to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed for a particular area. For example, students taking the Onsite Construction T Level can choose from specialisms in Bricklaying or Plastering, and the Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing T Level includes specialisms in Mechanical or Electrical engineering. Other T Levels available include Accounting, Engineering and Digital, with Craft and Design, Media, Broadcast and Production available from September.
The department has introduced Skills Bootcamps which offer free, flexible courses of up to 16 weeks, giving people the opportunity to build up sector-specific skills, with an offer of a job interview on completion. Skills Bootcamps around the country are available in many sectors covering digital, construction, arboriculture and agriculture, engineering, design for backstage theatre and many others.
We have also launched the Free Courses for Jobs offer which allows eligible adults to access over 400 Level 3 qualifications (A level equivalent) for free, in subject areas including engineering, construction, digital, health and social care and accounting.
In Higher Education (HE), the Strategic Priorities Grant is supporting teaching and students in HE, including expensive to deliver subjects, such as science and engineering. We are investing an additional £750 million over the next three years to support high quality teaching and facilities including in science and engineering. This includes the largest increase in government funding for the HE sector to support students and teaching in over a decade.
Careers education, information, advice and guidance is a crucial first step to supporting individuals to access excellent education and skills training. Driven nationally by the internationally recognised Gatsby Benchmarks, secondary schools and colleges are embedding career learning in the curriculum and providing young people with tailored advice and guidance, including more opportunities to learn about skills and apprenticeships. Through our National Careers Service digital offer and campaigns, such as Get the Jump and Skills for Life, we are bringing together information about education and training courses into one place for learners of all ages.
Asked by: Toby Perkins (Labour - Chesterfield)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has taken recent steps to help increase the number of people studying (a) broadcast and print media, (b) subjects related to theatre, (c) graphic design, (d) tourism and (e) sport and leisure.
Answered by Robert Halfon
To support more employers and learners to access apprenticeships the department is increasing funding in England to £2.7 billion by 2024/25. Employers have designed over 650 high-quality apprenticeship standards, across every sector, to support them to develop the skilled workforces they need. There are a range of apprenticeship standards available in these specific sectors such as:
T Levels include one or more occupational specialisms to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed for a particular area. For example, students taking the Onsite Construction T Level can choose from specialisms in Bricklaying or Plastering, and the Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing T Level includes specialisms in Mechanical or Electrical engineering. Other T Levels available include Accounting, Engineering and Digital, with Craft and Design, Media, Broadcast and Production available from September.
The department has introduced Skills Bootcamps which offer free, flexible courses of up to 16 weeks, giving people the opportunity to build up sector-specific skills, with an offer of a job interview on completion. Skills Bootcamps around the country are available in many sectors covering digital, construction, arboriculture and agriculture, engineering, design for backstage theatre and many others.
We have also launched the Free Courses for Jobs offer which allows eligible adults to access over 400 Level 3 qualifications (A level equivalent) for free, in subject areas including engineering, construction, digital, health and social care and accounting.
In Higher Education (HE), the Strategic Priorities Grant is supporting teaching and students in HE, including expensive to deliver subjects, such as science and engineering. We are investing an additional £750 million over the next three years to support high quality teaching and facilities including in science and engineering. This includes the largest increase in government funding for the HE sector to support students and teaching in over a decade.
Careers education, information, advice and guidance is a crucial first step to supporting individuals to access excellent education and skills training. Driven nationally by the internationally recognised Gatsby Benchmarks, secondary schools and colleges are embedding career learning in the curriculum and providing young people with tailored advice and guidance, including more opportunities to learn about skills and apprenticeships. Through our National Careers Service digital offer and campaigns, such as Get the Jump and Skills for Life, we are bringing together information about education and training courses into one place for learners of all ages.
Asked by: Toby Perkins (Labour - Chesterfield)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what specific steps she has taken to increase the number of students studying (a) aeronautical, (b) chemical, (c) civil, (d) computer, (e) electrical and (f) mechanical engineering.
Answered by Robert Halfon
To support more employers and learners to access apprenticeships the department is increasing funding in England to £2.7 billion by 2024/25. Employers have designed over 650 high-quality apprenticeship standards, across every sector, to support them to develop the skilled workforces they need. There are a range of apprenticeship standards available in these specific sectors such as:
T Levels include one or more occupational specialisms to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed for a particular area. For example, students taking the Onsite Construction T Level can choose from specialisms in Bricklaying or Plastering, and the Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing T Level includes specialisms in Mechanical or Electrical engineering. Other T Levels available include Accounting, Engineering and Digital, with Craft and Design, Media, Broadcast and Production available from September.
The department has introduced Skills Bootcamps which offer free, flexible courses of up to 16 weeks, giving people the opportunity to build up sector-specific skills, with an offer of a job interview on completion. Skills Bootcamps around the country are available in many sectors covering digital, construction, arboriculture and agriculture, engineering, design for backstage theatre and many others.
We have also launched the Free Courses for Jobs offer which allows eligible adults to access over 400 Level 3 qualifications (A level equivalent) for free, in subject areas including engineering, construction, digital, health and social care and accounting.
In Higher Education (HE), the Strategic Priorities Grant is supporting teaching and students in HE, including expensive to deliver subjects, such as science and engineering. We are investing an additional £750 million over the next three years to support high quality teaching and facilities including in science and engineering. This includes the largest increase in government funding for the HE sector to support students and teaching in over a decade.
Careers education, information, advice and guidance is a crucial first step to supporting individuals to access excellent education and skills training. Driven nationally by the internationally recognised Gatsby Benchmarks, secondary schools and colleges are embedding career learning in the curriculum and providing young people with tailored advice and guidance, including more opportunities to learn about skills and apprenticeships. Through our National Careers Service digital offer and campaigns, such as Get the Jump and Skills for Life, we are bringing together information about education and training courses into one place for learners of all ages.
Asked by: Toby Perkins (Labour - Chesterfield)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what specific steps she has taken to increase the numbers of students studying (a) IT programming, (b) IT hardware and network engineering, (c) cybersecurity and (d) data analysis.
Answered by Robert Halfon
To support more employers and learners to access apprenticeships the department is increasing funding in England to £2.7 billion by 2024/25. Employers have designed over 650 high-quality apprenticeship standards, across every sector, to support them to develop the skilled workforces they need. There are a range of apprenticeship standards available in these specific sectors such as:
T Levels include one or more occupational specialisms to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed for a particular area. For example, students taking the Onsite Construction T Level can choose from specialisms in Bricklaying or Plastering, and the Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing T Level includes specialisms in Mechanical or Electrical engineering. Other T Levels available include Accounting, Engineering and Digital, with Craft and Design, Media, Broadcast and Production available from September.
The department has introduced Skills Bootcamps which offer free, flexible courses of up to 16 weeks, giving people the opportunity to build up sector-specific skills, with an offer of a job interview on completion. Skills Bootcamps around the country are available in many sectors covering digital, construction, arboriculture and agriculture, engineering, design for backstage theatre and many others.
We have also launched the Free Courses for Jobs offer which allows eligible adults to access over 400 Level 3 qualifications (A level equivalent) for free, in subject areas including engineering, construction, digital, health and social care and accounting.
In Higher Education (HE), the Strategic Priorities Grant is supporting teaching and students in HE, including expensive to deliver subjects, such as science and engineering. We are investing an additional £750 million over the next three years to support high quality teaching and facilities including in science and engineering. This includes the largest increase in government funding for the HE sector to support students and teaching in over a decade.
Careers education, information, advice and guidance is a crucial first step to supporting individuals to access excellent education and skills training. Driven nationally by the internationally recognised Gatsby Benchmarks, secondary schools and colleges are embedding career learning in the curriculum and providing young people with tailored advice and guidance, including more opportunities to learn about skills and apprenticeships. Through our National Careers Service digital offer and campaigns, such as Get the Jump and Skills for Life, we are bringing together information about education and training courses into one place for learners of all ages.
Asked by: Toby Perkins (Labour - Chesterfield)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 20 July 2022 to Question 37614 on Schools: Buildings, which schools in Chesterfield constituency had at least one construction element in (a) condition grade C and (b) condition grade D when that data was collated; and which of those schools (a) have already received funding from the School Rebuilding Programme and (b) are expected to receive funding from the School Rebuilding Programme in the next two years.
Answered by Nick Gibb
The Condition Data Collection (CDC) is one of the largest and most comprehensive data collection programmes in the UK’s public sector. It collected data on the building condition of government funded schools in England. It provides a robust evidence base to enable the Department to target capital funding for maintaining and rebuilding school buildings.
The key, high level findings of the CDC programme were published in May 2021 in the ‘Condition of School Buildings Survey: Key Findings’ report. This is available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/989912/Condition_of_School_Buildings_Survey_CDC1_-_key_findings_report.pdf.
Individual CDC reports have been shared with every school and their responsible body to use alongside their existing condition surveys to plan maintenance schedules and investment plans. The Department plans to publish detailed school level CDC data. The Department is still preparing the data and will publish it as soon as possible.
Well maintained, safe school buildings are a priority for the Department. Our funding is directed both to maintaining the condition of the school estate and rebuilding schools. The Department has allocated over £13 billion for improving the condition of schools since 2015, including £1.8 billion committed this financial year.
The ten year School Rebuilding Programme (SRP) is condition led. 400 of the 500 available places on the programme have been provisionally allocated. A list of these schools and the methodology used to select them is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-rebuilding-programme-schools-in-the-programme.
The following table shows the constituencies specified that have schools or colleges selected for the SRP:
Parliamentary constituency | Schools selected for SRP |
Wakefield | Ossett Academy and Sixth Form College, announced December 2022 |
Stockton North | St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, announced July 2021 St Paul's Catholic Primary School, announced July 2021 |
The 239 schools announced in December 2022 will enter delivery at a rate of approximately 50 per year, over a five year period from 2023. The Department is currently undertaking due diligence on these schools prior to scheduling them, with schools prioritised according to the condition of their buildings, readiness to proceed, and efficiency of delivery. The scope and funding for each project will be confirmed following detailed feasibility studies and condition surveys of buildings.
Where a school identifies significant safety issues with a building, that cannot be managed within local resources, the Department considers additional support on a case-by-case basis. This includes applications for Urgent Capital Support (UCS) from eligible institutions. Schools eligible for Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) can apply for UCS where there are urgent health and safety issues that threaten school closure and cannot wait until the next CIF bidding round.
Asked by: Toby Perkins (Labour - Chesterfield)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an estimate of the (a) number of vacancies and (b) level of skill shortages in (i) aeronautical, (ii) chemical, (iii) civil, (iv) computer, (v) electrical and (vi) mechanical engineering.
Answered by Robert Halfon
The Employer Skills Survey (ESS) run by the department captures vacancies, skills gaps, and skill-shortage vacancies. In its current format, the ESS is not able to provide representative data for this granular level of sector.