Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Apprenticeships

Monday 27 January 2025 · 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Laura Kyrke-Smith highlighted the excitement of pupils from the Grange school about apprenticeship options at the careers fair.
  • Ian Roome questioned the impact of reducing financial support for level 7 apprenticeships on accessing graduate-level skills in rural areas.
  • Neil O'Brien noted the Government's refusal to publish their forecast for the number of apprenticeships, expressing disappointment.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Laura Kyrke-Smith Lab Aylesbury
Education Employment
Context

There is a concern about the decline in apprenticeship starts, with a reduction of nearly 40%. Laura Kyrke-Smith highlights local providers and expresses excitement at career fairs showcasing apprenticeship options.

Question

We are fortunate to have some great apprenticeship providers in Aylesbury, such as the Buckinghamshire College Group and Buckinghamshire New University. When I joined pupils from the Grange school at their careers fair, I saw at first hand their excitement about the apprenticeship options on offer. We know that apprenticeships are a win-win for young people and for sectors facing recruitment challenges, such as health and social care and construction. What steps is the Minister taking to expand and strengthen apprenticeships, and to ensure that all young people who choose to go down that route are able to do so?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Janet Daby)

My hon. Friend is a real champion for students at Buckinghamshire colleges, and indeed for young people across Aylesbury. I know the area she represents very well. After the Conservatives left us with a collapsing apprenticeship system and other skills shortages, Labour is listening to employers and redrawing the system through Skills England, a new growth and skills levy and new foundation apprenticeships. That is how we will unlock opportunity and drive growth.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not provide concrete steps or commitments for expanding apprenticeships.

How: Listening To Employers, Redrawing The System

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Q2 Ian Roome Lib Dem North Devon
Education Employment
Context

The government has announced plans to reduce financial support for level 7 apprenticeships, a decision that could impact rural areas where higher-level skills and qualifications are crucial.

Question

Back in the autumn, the new Government announced plans to reduce the financial support available for level 7 apprenticeships. Does the Secretary of State understand that curtailing higher-level apprenticeships will make it harder to access graduate-level skills and qualifications in rural areas such as North Devon, where there are no universities nearby?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Janet Daby)

The Government have an extremely challenging fiscal inheritance and tough choices need to be taken on how funding should be prioritised to generate opportunities for all. Employers will still be able to offer and invest in level 7 apprenticeships where they feel they provide a good return on investment. We have taken advice from Skills England, which engages with employers on funding for level 7 apprenticeships, over the autumn. The Department expects to make a final decision on affected apprenticeships shortly.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not address the specific concerns about rural areas without universities.

How: Challenging Fiscal Inheritance, Taking Advice From Skills England

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Q3 Neil O’Brien Con Harborough, Oadby and Wigston
Employment Business & Trade
Context

There is a concern that the government will not publish its apprenticeship forecast, which may be indicative of a reduction in the number of people starting apprenticeships.

Question

The Government have said in answer to written questions that they have a forecast for the number of apprenticeships but that they will not publish it for Members to see, which is a shame. At the last oral questions, the Secretary of State said it was still the Government’s policy to allow employers to spend 50% of their apprenticeship levy money on other things. Is not the reason the Government will not publish their forecast for the number of apprenticeships that their policy will lead to a sharp reduction in the number of people starting apprenticeships?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Janet Daby)

We are very confident about what the Government are doing with apprenticeships. Our levy-funded growth and skills offer, with apprenticeships at the heart, will deliver greater flexibility for learners and employers in England, aligned with our industrial strategy, creating routes into good skilled jobs in growing industries. As a first step, that will include shorter duration and foundation apprenticeships in targeted sectors.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not address the question about why the forecast is not being published or its implications for apprenticeship numbers.

How: Greater Flexibility, Growth And Skills Offer

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