Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Apprenticeships

Monday 12 October 2020 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministers are offering 2,000 for every new apprentice under 25 and 1,500 for those over 25 to support employers.
  • Further education is now more important than ever, with reforms of the FE system and funding for T-levels and adult entitlement programmes.
  • The switch from frameworks to standards had an impact on apprenticeship numbers early on, with a focus on quality over quantity.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 John Howell Con
Education Employment
Context

The MP asks about the steps being taken to increase apprenticeship numbers, recognizing their importance for economic recovery and business growth.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to increase the number of apprenticeships. Apprenticeships will be more important than ever to support our economic recovery and help businesses to recruit the right people and develop the skills they need to recover and grow.

Answer from Gillian Keegan

To support employers to offer new apprenticeships, they can now claim £2,000 for every new apprentice under 25 and £1,500 for those over 25. This is part of the effort to promote further education as a valid pathway.

Answered
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Q2 John Howell Con
Education
Context

The MP asks about the government's efforts to ensure apprenticeships are seen as a valid part of the UK's educational system, highlighting the importance of further education.

Question

Will my hon. Friend assure me that she is doing everything in her power to ensure that apprenticeships are seen as a valid part of our education system? The Prime Minister and Chancellor have made it clear that further education is now more important than ever. This includes reforms of the FE system through the skills White Paper, backed by £500 million funding per year for T-levels, investing £1.5 billion in FE college estate transformation, £2.5 billion through the national skills fund and introducing a new adult entitlement.

Answer from Gillian Keegan

I can assure my hon. Friend that further education is important, with once-in-a-generation reforms through the skills White Paper and funding for T-levels, FE college estate transformation, national skills fund, and adult entitlement programmes.

Answered
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Q3 Toby Perkins Lab Chesterfield
Education Employment
Context

The MP questions the impact of Government policies, noting a decline in level 2 and 3 apprenticeships prior to coronavirus due to the introduction of the apprenticeship levy.

Question

Why do this Government consistently introduce policies that have the effect of reducing the numbers doing level 2 and 3 apprenticeships? The Minister acknowledges the importance of apprenticeships but questions why such policies are introduced despite rhetoric supporting them.

Answer from Gillian Keegan

Referencing the switch from frameworks to standards, which had an impact on some numbers early on. The focus was on quality of apprenticeships rather than quantity; ensuring high-quality apprenticeships for young people's trust is key.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask regarding policy effects and reductions in apprentice numbers at levels 2 and 3 is not directly addressed.

How: Referencing Quality Focus Instead Of Quantity Issues

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