Baroness Hunter of Auchenreoch (Lab)

My Lords, I thank my noble friend Lady Morgan, who is a good friend, for introducing this debate and the noble Lord, Lord Baker, also a good friend, for his customary eloquent insights. The Milburn review is a shocking read. If the million NEETs were to form a city, it would be the third-largest in the UK—larger than Leeds, Glasgow or Cardiff—costing the taxpayer and the economy, as already mentioned, £125 billion a year. Yet Milburn found that 84% of NEETs want to be in a job, education or training and are held back by low expectations and confusing routes into the adult world. I spoke recently at a school in Kent about the amazing opportunities available to people with STEM qualifications. Two girls came up to me and asked, “Do you really think we could be engineers?”. “Of course”, I said, “Why not?”. “My dad says it’s a boy’s job. He says I should do hairdressing”, came the reply. I wish to advocate for girls like her who are disadvantaged just by being female. Their aspirations are not being guided towards the STEM skills critically needed—a million more workers by 2030 in AI, robotics, cyber, energy, engineering, health and more. The Royal Academy of Engineering—I declare an interest as a former director—reports that only 17% of its STEM taskforce are female. Women and girls make up half of apprenticeships, but only 14% complete them; 78% of girls aged 11 to 17 express an interest in tech, but only half pursue it. The newly introduced T-levels have only a 12% female take-up. Yet, without welcoming more girls, there is no hope of creating the workforce of the future. Their potential has barely been tapped. The Royal Academy has called for engagement from primary school on, with STEM-related activities featuring female role models, a modernised curriculum, early high-quality careers advice and clearer routes into work. Girls need to know about someone such as Clare Grey, developing advanced batteries on the Ox-Cam growth corridor, one of the world’s leading science and innovation clusters which is generating £143 billion for the economy every year. I welcome the Prime Minister’s recent announcement on tailored access for children aged 14 to technical skills in every postcode, building on local opportunities and mobilising mayors, local leaders, employers and educators. Young people have not given up on work, and we must not give up on them. I know all noble Lords will do our work to support them.