Education and Skills Bill

My Lords, tomorrow I shall be going to the north-east, to Sunderland university, where I do some work. I am very aware of the skill of the people of the north-east, but I am also aware of the chronic underachievement educationally that there is in that area. We should not ignore that. I conclude by saying that the Bill is ambitious. It sets an agenda for trying to yank ourselves off the bottom of the OECD table. I am ready to be persuaded whether the provision in the Bill is the right way forward. However, after the speeches we have had today, I very much look forward to the debates that I am sure will ensue.