Education and Skills Bill

Before the noble Baroness, Lady Walmsley, replies to the Minister, can we clarify that in one of the Minister’s earlier answers he was clear that some countries with no compulsion or sanctions whatsoever have achieved better participation than those with them? The facts that the Minister gave us are absolutely clear. Some countries with sanctions are ranked seventh or even 15th in the OECD league tables; others that have none are right up in second, third or fourth place. The noble Baroness might wish to take on board that, by saying that we do not wish to see compulsion, we are not condemning this country to having a residue of young people who do not participate.