What plans he has to increase the level of provision of vocational education in schools.

The coalition agreement committed us to improving the quality of vocational education. Alongside Professor Alison Wolf's review of such matters, we aim to open at least 12 university technical colleges offering high-quality vocational learning to 14 to 19-year-olds-schools that put vocational training at the core of their curriculum offer.

I thank the Minister for that clear answer, which underlines the reason why he is so popular in the further education sector and elsewhere, and as regards providing apprenticeships-

Get on with it.

All right. What will be done to ensure that pupils are properly signposted towards and encouraged to take vocational training?

I think that my hon. Friend understated my popularity somewhat, but nevertheless he will know that we are entirely committed to ensuring that people get the right kind of advice about vocational options. Too often, people have lacked that advice and it is important that those with the aptitudes, tastes, talents and choices to take them down that road get proper advice and advice on progression, too.

Does the Minister accept that young people from poorer communities are often put into vocational GCSEs as an easy option, as a result of which academic subjects such as history are becoming the preserve of the elite? What steps is the Minister taking to ensure that "academic equivalence" GCSEs are not becoming the default option for poorer communities?

As a qualified history teacher, I share the hon. Gentleman's passion for the teaching of history, but I think he underestimates and undervalues-as do so many from the bourgeois class that he personifies-the significance of technical skills, craft skills and practical skills. They matter too, and the Government know it.