Education and Skills Act 2008

Long title

A Bill to make provision about education and training; and for connected purposes.

Summary

<p>The Bill introduces a requirement to remain in education or training beyond the current statutory leaving age, and implements the recommendations of the Leitch Review on adult skills.<br><br>The Bill contains measures to encourage more young people to participate in learning post-16 and to achieve higher levels of skill and qualification. The Government proposals go beyond the current aspiration so that by 2013, all 17 year olds, and by 2015, all 18 year olds, are participating in some form of education or training. </p><p><strong>Key areas</strong></p><ul><li>Raises the age young people stay in education or training, with a duty on young people to participate and on parents to assist their children to participate</li><li>Sets out duties on employers to release young people for the equivalent of one day a week to undertake training elsewhere (where the employer does not provide their own training) </li><li>Introduces a duty on local authorities to ensure that young people participate and to provide the support service currently known as Connexions</li><li>Requires local authorities to assess the education and training needs of young people aged 16-19 with special educational needs</li><li>Requires the Learning and Skills Council to secure the proper provision of courses for learners over the age of 19.</li></ul>

Progress through Parliament

1. 1st reading· Commons

   28 November 2007 – 28 November 2007

2. 2nd reading· Commons

   14 January 2008 – 14 January 2008

3. Programme motion· Commons

   14 January 2008 – 14 January 2008

4. Money resolution· Commons

   14 January 2008 – 14 January 2008

5. Committee stage· Commons

   22 January 2008 – 28 February 2008

6. Report stage· Commons

   13 May 2008 – 13 May 2008

7. 3rd reading· Commons

   13 May 2008 – 13 May 2008

8. Programme motion· Commons

   13 May 2008 – 13 May 2008

9. 1st reading· Lords

   14 May 2008 – 14 May 2008

10. 2nd reading· Lords

    10 June 2008 – 10 June 2008

11. Committee stage· Lords

    25 June 2008 – 21 July 2008

12. Report stage· Lords

    30 October 2008 – 30 October 2008

13. 3rd reading· Lords

    11 November 2008 – 11 November 2008

14. Programme motion· Commons

    17 November 2008 – 17 November 2008

15. Consideration of Lords amendments· Commons

    17 November 2008 – 17 November 2008

16. Royal Assent· Unassigned

    26 November 2008 – 26 November 2008