Level 4 apprentices go on to earn more than the average undergraduate. According to the Institute for Fiscal Studies, 30% of undergraduate degrees lead to negative returns overall. Does my right hon. Friend agree that rebalancing the system towards our neglected technical education sector is the right thing for young people and the right thing for the country?

I absolutely agree. It is a real Achilles heel of this country. In this country, 10% of the 18 to 65 workforce has higher technical qualifications, as compared with 20% in Germany and 34% in Canada.

[Official Report, 21 January 2021, Vol. 687, c. 1164.]

Letter of correction from the Secretary of State for Education:

An error has been identified in the response I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Harborough (Neil O'Brien).

The correct response should have been:

I absolutely agree. It is a real Achilles heel of this country. In this country, 10% of 20 to 45-year-olds hold higher technical qualifications as their highest qualifications, as compared with around 20% in Germany and 34% in Canada.