Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Apprenticeships: People Over 16

Monday 17 April 2023 · 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 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Department is promoting apprenticeships through the ASK programme and a career starter apprenticeships campaign.
  • Minister acknowledges the need for flexibility in the apprenticeship levy but does not commit to specific changes.
  • Minister criticizes Labour's plans for apprenticeship levy reform, stating current spending levels do not support additional policy changes.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Priti Patel Con Witham
Employment
Context

The question arises from the need to encourage individuals over 16 years old to take up apprenticeships, especially in light of current efforts and challenges.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to encourage people over the age of 16 to take up apprenticeships? My Department is promoting apprenticeships through our ASK programme and career starter apprenticeships campaign. We are working with UCAS so that people can search and apply for apprenticeships alongside degrees, creating a one-stop shop for young people.

Answer from Gillian Keegan

We are promoting apprenticeships through our ASK programme and career starter apprenticeships campaign. We are working with UCAS so that people can search and apply for apprenticeships alongside degrees, creating a one-stop shop for young people.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not provide specific steps or commitments to encourage individuals over 16 years old to take up apprenticeships beyond promoting general awareness and working with UCAS.

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Q2 Priti Patel Con Witham
Education Employment
Context

The question follows from an initial inquiry about promoting apprenticeships and focuses on making the apprenticeship levy more flexible and devolving skills funding to Essex.

Question

Will she look at how to make the apprenticeship levy much more agile and flexible so that more school leavers participate in the scheme, and look at devolving more skills funding to Essex? The Minister acknowledges the need for flexibility but does not commit to specific changes or policies.

Answer from Gillian Keegan

More than 99% of the apprenticeships budget was spent last year, which is a fantastic demonstration of the value that apprentices bring to businesses. We will continue to ringfence the levy to support demand. Essex Chambers of Commerce are working with employers to develop a local skills improvement plan.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer acknowledges current spending and supports for apprenticeships but does not commit to making the levy more flexible or devolving funding.

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Q3 Toby Perkins Lab Chesterfield
Employment Business & Trade
Context

The question stems from criticism of the Government's approach to apprenticeships and seeks support for Labour's policy on greater flexibility for the apprenticeship levy.

Question

Will the Secretary of State join me, the Labour party and the right hon. Member for Witham in supporting the wide range of businesses and employers that support Labour's plans for reform of the apprenticeship levy? The Minister does not commit to joining or supporting Labour's plans but criticizes them.

Answer from Gillian Keegan

We are already spending 99.6% of the levy, so Labour's policy would mean that we would have to take some apprentices away from SMEs to be able to create that levy.

Not addressed: The answer criticizes Labour's policy rather than addressing whether she will support it or not.

How: Criticizing The Opposition

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