Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Post-16 Education: Skills

Monday 21 July 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

  • Robin Swann questioned the Minister about the apprenticeship levy and its return to Northern Ireland under the Barnett formula.
  • Natalie Fleet raised concerns about unfit prefabs being used as classrooms at Brigg infant school in South Normanton and asked for action.
  • Neil O'Brien inquired about Labour's pre-election proposal to allow businesses to use half of their apprenticeship levy money elsewhere and sought clarification on the current commitment.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Robin Swann Ulster Unionist Party South Antrim
Education Northern Ireland
Context

The question concerns the distribution of funds collected through the apprenticeship levy in Northern Ireland, where Robin Swann is concerned about the effectiveness of the current system.

Question

Robin Swann noted that the apprenticeship levy is collected equally across the UK but returned to Northern Ireland under the Barnett formula. He asked whether there could be an option for employers who contribute to the levy to draw funds back directly to support apprentices employed in their companies.

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

Janet Daby thanked Swann for his question and acknowledged that skills are devolved matters with funding responsibilities lying with the Northern Ireland government. She stated they will continue to engage with the devolved administrations as they develop a levy-funded growth and skills offer for England.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Directly avoided answering whether the system can be changed to allow local employers to draw funds back directly from the apprenticeship levy.

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Q2 Natalie Fleet Lab Bolsover
Education
Context

Fleet raised concerns about Brigg infant school, where young pupils are being taught in prefabricated buildings not fit for purpose. She emphasized that these children deserve better and called on the Minister to address this issue.

Question

Natalie Fleet mentioned a visit to Brigg infant school in South Normanton, describing it as an excellent school but highlighted that four and five-year-olds are being taught in unfit prefabs. She asked if the Minister agrees they need a proper classroom and would look into this case.

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

Janet Daby thanked Fleet for her thoughtful question about prefabs. She confirmed they have a plan to build and would take up this matter with the appropriate Minister.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to specific action or timeline regarding Brigg infant school's classroom issue, instead promising to engage with relevant officials.

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Q3 Neil O’Brien Con Harborough, Oadby and Wigston
Education
Context

O'Brien questioned the inconsistency in statements regarding employers’ ability to use apprenticeship levy funds for non-apprenticeship purposes as promised during the election. He was seeking clarity on whether this promise would be fulfilled.

Question

Neil O’Brien pointed out that before the election, Labour had proposed allowing businesses to take 50% of their apprenticeship levy money and spend it elsewhere, but different Ministers have given conflicting statements post-election about whether this is still a commitment. He asked if businesses can now take out 50% as promised.

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

Janet Daby thanked O’Brien for his question and stated that the Government continues to invest in education with flexibility available, including foundation apprenticeships and shorter apprenticeships. She did not provide a direct yes or no answer but affirmed investment in young people.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not give a clear affirmative or negative response regarding businesses’ ability to withdraw 75% of their levy money for other purposes, instead focusing on overall investment in education.

How: Flexibility, Investment

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