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Level 7 Apprenticeships
25 November 2025
Lead MP
Sarah Gibson
Chippenham
LD
Responding Minister
Andrew Western
Tags
NHSTaxationEmployment
Word Count: 3473
Other Contributors: 6
At a Glance
Sarah Gibson raised concerns about level 7 apprenticeships in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Sarah Gibson asks the Minister for an assessment of the impact of restricting level 7 funding on future diversity in professions requiring this level as part of their final qualification. She also questions what impact this restriction will have on the ability of these professions to deliver necessary homes and infrastructure.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The recent Government assessment identified acute areas of deprivation in Sarah Gibson's constituency driven by limited access to education and skills. For many young people, apprenticeships are the only realistic route into higher education, particularly for underprivileged children who can benefit from the industry's progress towards a better gender balance. The Government’s decision to restrict level 7 apprenticeship funding threatens this progress, with Skills England estimating that over 250,000 additional workers will be needed by 2028 simply to maintain current construction output.
Adam Dance
LD
Yeovil
Investment in vocational education facilities is crucial for supporting apprenticeships, with Yeovil College receiving over £2 million in Government funding to upgrade its engineering facility.
Andrew Western
Lab
West Bromwich East
Agreed that apprenticeships are important but highlighted pre-existing shortages of town planners and suggested working with employers to fund level 7 apprenticeships directly.
West Dorset
Supports the debate by highlighting the skills gap in rural areas and the need for further education institutions to support young people's progression.
Chippenham
Jessica Brown-Fuller highlights the impact of losing level 7 apprenticeships on town planners, a profession critical to meeting housing targets and net zero commitments. Asked about the impacts on local authorities taking on town planning roles, given budget constraints and staff retention issues.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Jim Shannon expresses disappointment at the removal of public funding for many level 7 apprenticeships from January 2026 and argues that this decision will hinder opportunities for constituents in advancing their educational skills.
Sarah Gibson
Lab
Greenwich and Woolwich
Stated that built environment professions differ from big engineering firms, citing small architectural businesses' reliance on levies due to financial constraints.
Government Response
Andrew Western
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
Government Response
Acknowledges the concerns raised and explains that from January 2026, level 7 apprenticeships will only be funded for young apprentices under 22 and those under 25 who are care leavers or have an education, health and care plan. The Government seeks to rebalance funding towards younger learners while encouraging employers to upskill older staff through non-apprenticeship routes. Explained the rationale behind level 7 apprenticeships and acknowledged pre-existing shortages in town planning. Suggested working with employers, including local authorities and NHS, to fund level 7 apprenticeships directly where feasible due to existing relationships.
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Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.