Mel Stride MP has responded positively to the Queen’s Speech on Tuesday by welcoming the focus on further education and training. The speech, which officially opened the new parliamentary session and outlined the legislation the Government intends to pass over the coming year, included a Skills and Post-16 Education Bill which will reform our adult education and training system to help more people gain the skills and qualifications they need to embark on a successful career.
The bill will build on the significant action already taken to improve post-16 education, such as the introduction of new T Level courses, and will include a new “flexible loan” system to help more people manage the costs of further education and training.
Mr Stride, chair of the influential House of Commons Treasury Select Committee, said:
“The Government is right to put job creation and training at the heart of our economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. The careers of young people have been disproportionately impacted over the past 12 months and this bill will help improve access to further education and training opportunities.”
One of Mr Stride’s first parliamentary roles was serving as a ministerial aide in the Business Department where he helped to double the number of young people starting apprenticeships.
Photo: Mel spending time with local apprentices in Central Devon (before the Covid-19 pandemic).
