Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Bill

It is Labour which is guaranteeing the funding and putting in place the infrastructure, through the National Apprenticeship Service, so that we can properly mobilise employers, who—as demonstrated by the support of employer organisations such as the CBI—want to see the expansion of apprenticeships. Certainly, we in the public sector will play our part in expanding apprenticeship provision. The Bill will secure more scope for local provision to be tailored to local need. Local authorities will become the single point of accountability for all children's services from 0-19 and children's trusts will be strengthened to provide a stronger base for partnership working and to better support children's wider well-being and development, especially those children with additional needs. As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State outlined earlier, the Bill will also implement recommendations made by Lord Laming to strengthen practice in safeguarding and child protection.