18 October 2017
James Cleverly calls on PM to back public and private trainers to increase productivity

Speaking in Prime Minister's Questions, James Cleverly highlights new local training facilities in the manufacturing sector and calls on the Government to support both public and private sector trainers to help improve productivity.

James Cleverly (Braintree) (Con)

Earlier this year, I opened a state-of-the-art manufacturing training facility at Braintree’s further education college. On Friday, I opened a new training centre for Contracts Support Services, a family-run business. Now that unemployment is at a record low and employment at a record high, will the Government commit to supporting both public and private sector trainers to increase productivity in the British economy?

The Prime Minister

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Increasing productivity is a key aim of our Government—it is very important for the economy and the future—and investing in skills is a key part of that. I am pleased to hear that he has been so active in opening new facilities in his constituency. The changes we are making—our support for FE colleges, the new T-level, the emphasis we are putting on technical education and the £500 million we are putting into it—will all help to increase the skills levels of young people in this country.

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