Saqib Bhatti: It’s time we saw good apprenticeships in the same way we’ve seen a University degree

Saqib Bhatti MP is Shadow Education Minister  

The excellent Conservative Party Conference saw Kemi Badenoch announce several serious policies that will help secure our borders and build a stronger economy.  

We have committed to leaving the European Convention on Human Rights so that quasi-legislative international court can’t undermine our attempts to control our borders. We have promised to cut back the size of the bloated welfare state and bring the ever-growing Civil Service under control, saving £47 billion. This has allowed the Conservatives to offer strategic tax cuts to get the economy growing, including abolishing business rates for small business and scrapping Stamp Duty. 

These are all hugely important policies to deliver on the priorities of the British public: a more prosperous economy and stronger borders. This is dramatically different to Labour and Reform, who’s plans to increase the size of the state will lead to economic chaos, higher inflation and higher taxes. 

However, an announcement that got less attention in Kemi’s speech was that we would double the apprenticeship budget to £6 billion, funded through scrapping low-quality university degrees.  

Let me be very clear: the UK has a first-class higher education sector. Our universities are some of the world’s most prestigious institutions, attracting the very best talent and working at the cutting edge of research. They drive investment into all four corners of the UK and their formidable reputation means that a British education is still seen as the gold standard. 

But in the past twenty years, there has been a growing number of people taking low-quality degrees that are simply not fit for purpose.  

We urgently need to reverse Tony Blair’s nonsensical claim that 50 per cent of people ought to go to university. Of course, Britain needs high-quality graduates. But the taxpayer should not be funding graduates who will not benefit the economy or our society.  

A total rethink is essential.  

Every single year, the taxpayer absorbs around £7 million in debt because graduates can’t repay it.  

This is unacceptable.  

In my mind, our higher education system has two key priorities.  

First, it needs to act as a gateway into work. Our universities should be equipping the future generations of doctors, lawyers, computer scientists, accountants and researchers with the skills needed to help support our economy and society.  

Let’s not forget, in this new technological age there will be future jobs that we haven’t even heard of yet. Universities will have to prepare people for these jobs.  

Second, I do believe that our universities should continue to play a role in helping develop more softer skills that are vital in society. For example, in an era of political instability and misinformation, we must not underestimate the importance of critical thinking and analysis in helping nurture a more tolerant society that is open to debate controversial issues with decency.  

That is precisely why we need to be robust when considering whether a degree is the appropriate path for every individual. 

There are now degrees in Football Studies, Fashion Jewellery and Photography. All three industries are well-respected but does the British taxpayer really need to subsidise degrees in these topics? Besides, these are exactly the type of careers that could very easily supported by an apprenticeship.  

I know the Education Secretary’s education policies are a bit of a joke, but The University of Kent even offers a degree in stand-up comedy! 

This is sadly just not necessary, and these poor-quality degrees undermine the public’s confidence in our university system. Hardworking taxpayers want a society with top graduates, but they rightly do not want to be subsidising low-quality degrees that have no economic or social benefit. 

As Shadow Education Minister, I am very clear that our children and young people are at the heart of everything we do. It can’t be the case that young people continue to be saddled with unpayable student debt with poor job prospects.  

That is why I am completely in favour of the Conservatives’ plans to put more funding into apprenticeships.  

Getting people into apprenticeships can unlock new work opportunities for thousands of young people. They allow young people to earn whilst they learn, but they offer the chance for industry to tailor their apprentices to be exactly right for their workplace. The skills they develop will mean companies can hire staff, often more locally, and end their reliance on overseas workers.  

Tony Blair has many terrible legacies, but his ambition to send half of young people to university is undoubtedly one of his most damaging. It has weakened the strength and value of a degree and has forced British companies to look for overseas workers to plug the technical skills gap. 

A more focused approach on apprenticeships is beyond timely; the Conservatives are setting the wheels in motion to deliver on that pledge.