Cameron to look into new campaign

David Cameron responded positively to Peter Luff’s new bill on young engineers. 52.09.013.leam.nc3

PRIME Minister David Cameron has said he will look closely at a campaign launched by Evesham MP Peter Luff to help inspire young people take up careers in engineering.

As reported in the Observer last week, Mr Luff is behind the bid to find the next generation of engineers following concerns a shortage could have damaging consequences to the country's economy in the future.

Following its launch, the Mid-Worcestershire MP put a question to Mr Cameron during Prime Minister's Questions asking him whether he would consider his ten minute bill which will be introduced in Parliament next Wednesday (February 13).

The Prime Minister replied: "I will certainly look very carefully at the bill that my honourable friend puts forward.

"In the recent UCAS data one of the encouraging signs is that the number of people studying engineering and computer science has actually gone up quite radically.

"That is an early sign that the steps that have been been taken over recent years, frankly by governments of all parties, to try to raise the status of and encourage engineering are beginning to have an effect."

After Prime Minister's Questions Mr Luff said Mr Cameron's response provided a great start to the campaign but there was still much work to do.

"This is a very positive first step of my campaign, which I hope will continue to gain momentum over the rest of this Parliament," he said.

"The results from UCAS are very promising and it is clear that things are moving in the right direction. But more needs to be done to address the real skills shortage that we face in this country.

"One of the biggest challenges that needs to be tackled is the lack of of female engineers in this country. We need to demonstrate to girls that engineering is no longer about oily rags but problem solving.

"Equal access to information on the modern reality of engineering and science at school would help achieve this."

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