Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to increase the take-up of technology-based subjects in secondary schools.

The Government introduced new Computing and Design and Technology (D&T) curricula in 2014, and we are reforming GCSE/A Level qualifications in these and other technology subjects such as electronics. Our reforms are bringing these subjects up to date, ensuring that they reflect the latest practice in industry, provide students with the knowledge needed to progress, and make them more appealing to young people.

We are determined to put technical education on a par with academic education and University Technical Colleges (UTCs) have a role to play in achieving that goal. UTCs have been established to address skills gaps, providing a technical education to meet the needs of modern businesses.

UTCs help develop the talents of students and offer them technical and hands-on practical education alongside their GCSEs and A-levels to equip them with the technical knowledge and professional skills employers demand. We remain committed to ensuring that more young people have access to high quality technical education.