Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many 16 to 19 year olds who have not achieved English and mathematics to level two are not continuing to study these subjects.

In 2012/13, 28% (481,600) of 16- to 18-year-olds had not achieved Level 2 English by the end of the previous academic year, and of those 53% (254,100) were not continuing to study the subject at any level.

In 2012/13, 30% (518,300) of 16- to 18-year-olds had not achieved Level 2 mathematics by the end of the previous academic year, and of those 57% (295,500) were not continuing to study the subject at any level.

This is why this Government has introduced a condition of funding to ensure that all 16- to 19-year-olds who have not secured a good GCSE pass in English or maths have the opportunity to achieve these subjects by 19.

2012/13 is the latest year that we have participation data linked to prior attainment.