What steps he is taking to increase the number of apprenticeship places in Mitcham and Morden.

Last year 240 people started apprenticeships in the Mitcham and Morden constituency, the highest number for five years. We are taking a wide range of steps to encourage more people to take up apprenticeship places and more employers to offer high quality places. We have established an apprenticeships taskforce to oversee expansion of the programme in the capital. Last year we saw a record high with 225,000 people starting an apprenticeship, up from a pathetic 65,000 under the Conservatives. The Prime Minister recently announced a £140 million package to provide an extra 35,000 apprenticeship places, of which at least 21,000 will be in the public sector.

We are delighted that next year Merton college will have twice the amount of funding and twice the number of apprentices in training. Does my hon. Friend agree that in these difficult financial times, it is more important than ever for the Government to confirm their commitment to giving young people skills through apprenticeships?

My hon. Friend is an unmatched champion of apprenticeships and of the needs of young people and the importance of skills in her constituency. She has put her finger on it. In times such as these, the Government should support skills, training and young people. What they should not do is cut Train to Gain or £610 million from the skills, science and universities budget, as the Opposition would do.