Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps he is taking to encourage businesses to free up their staff to volunteer in local schools.

In the Careers Inspiration Vision Statement, launched in September 2013, we stated that we believe employers and schools must do more in partnership together and that the best mentoring and motivation comes from people in jobs. The revised statutory guidance to schools on careers reflects this. We have been working with key organisations that deliver inspirational careers activity. This, alongside the improved National Careers Service, will make it easier for businesses to identify opportunities to volunteer in schools and to recognise the benefits such as a more well-informed future workforce.