Chair of the Education Committee is Robert Halfon – Sector Response
Ian Pretty: CEO Collab Group, said: “Congratulations to Robert Halfon on being elected Chair of the Education Select Committee. Mr Halfon has been a great champion for further education and skills, and recognises the indispensable role that colleges play in improving life chances and creating opportunity for all. His advocacy of technical and professional education will be vital as the existing system goes through the biggest shakeup in a generation. The implementation of T-levels and the changes to apprenticeship funding presents a huge opportunity to reform our national approach to TPE delivery— it will be vital to ensure that FE is best supported to drive these changes forward. We look forward to engaging with Mr Halfon on behalf of our 36 member colleges to ensure further education is best able to create a “ladder of opportunity” to improve the life chances for learners across the UK.”
Stephen Evans, Chief Executive at Learning and Work Institute comments:“It’s great news that Robert Halfon is to be the new Chair of the Education Select Committee. He has a longstanding commitment to Further Education and Apprenticeships, and I’m sure these will be a big focus of the Committee’s work.
There are some big challenges ahead. We need a skills system that works for all, delivering the skills employers need. We need to widen opportunity, so that everyone gets a fair chance in life. I’m sure the Committee will want to look at the impact of the loss of 1.5 million learning opportunities for adults, how to ensure Apprenticeships reforms focus on quality and access, the focus needed so that T-Level reforms work, and how the system as a whole works together.
I hope Robert will continue with the open, collaborative approach he is known for. We look forward to working with him to build a world class learning and skills system.”
Mark Dawe, Chief Executive of the Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) comments:
“Rob’s passion for apprenticeships and skills is an undoubted advantage so we are very pleased that his election means that scrutiny of the reforms are likely to continue under his stewardship. We look forward to sharing with him and his committee colleagues our views on how the reforms are progressing.”
The secret ballot of MPs took place on Wednesday, 12th July. Votes were counted under the Alternative Vote system.
The full list of elected committee chairs for the new Parliament was announced in the House of Commons by the Speaker, the Rt Hon John Bercow. All successful candidates are listed here.
The new Chair of the Education Committee is Robert Halfon.
Following nominations and elections among MPs, Robert Halfon has been elected Chair of the committee for the 2017 Parliament.
Robert Halfon will formally take up position as chair of the committee when the remaining members of the committee have been named by the House.
The new Chair of the Treasury Committee is Nicky Morgan.
Following nominations and elections among MPs, Nicky Morgan has been elected Chair of the committee for the 2017 Parliament.
Nicky Morgan will formally take up position as chair of the committee when the remaining members of the committee have been named by the House.
The new Chair of the Work and Pensions Committee is Frank Field.
Following nominations and elections among MPs, Frank Field has been elected Chair of the committee for the 2017 Parliament.
He was the sole nomination for the position and was therefore declared elected, unopposed.
Frank Field will formally take up position as chair of the committee when the remaining members of the committee have been named by the House.
The new Chair of the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee is Rachel Reeves.
Following nominations and elections among MPs, Rachel Reeves has been elected Chair of the committee for the 2017 Parliament.
Rachel Reeves will formally take up position as chair of the committee when the remaining members of the committee have been named by the House.
Following her election as Chair, Rachel Reeves said:
“I am honoured to be elected Chair of the BEIS Committee and look forward to building on the work of Iain Wright and committee members in the last Parliament. The BEIS Committee has a crucial role to play in developing an industrial strategy that that works for all regions of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. I look forward to working with Committee colleagues to fulfil this role and ensure that we are robust in holding Government to account for their policies and actions.
As a Committee, there are a number of issues I believe we will want to consider for future inquiries. Ensuring that we develop sustainable growth and climate change policies that help create new and well paid jobs should be a priority for the Committee. Shining a light on diversity at the top levels of our businesses and tackling the gender, disability and BAME pay gaps should be on the Committee’s agenda. Scrutinising the Government’s approach to the challenges of the ‘gig economy’ and the growth of self-employment and how to deliver fairness and flexibility in the British labour market should also be an area of interest for the Committee.”
Responses