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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gordon Marsden on 2016-09-06.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will hold discussions with HM Treasury on the potential to fully fund apprenticeships for 16 to 18 year olds from savings accrued as a result of the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy.

Robert Halfon

The department and HM Treasury have worked closely together on the development of the apprenticeships funding policy and plans for implementation of the Levy, including the digital apprenticeship service.

Our proposals for how apprenticeships will be paid for in England in the future will simplify the current complex funding system by introducing a single funding cap for individual apprenticeship framework pathways, regardless of the age of the learner or geographic location.

We expect the proposals will also include incentives for employers taking on younger apprentices – funding 100 per cent of apprenticeship training costs for small employers (with fewer than 50 staff) that don’t pay the levy when they employ 16-18 year old apprentices; and providing a £1,000 cash payment to both the employer and training provider to help with the extra costs of supporting apprentices in this age group.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gordon Marsden on 2016-09-06.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions she has had with large employers on the effect on their take-up of apprenticeships of the new funding arrangements proposed for apprenticeships for 16 to 18 year olds, published on 12 August 2016.

Robert Halfon

We have engaged thousands of employers and training providers throughout the development of the apprenticeship funding reforms and continue to do so. This engagement helped to shape the funding policy proposals for England from May 2017, published on 12 August.

A survey seeking detailed views from employers and providers closed on 5 September, and the feedback will inform the final policy, which we aim to publish in October.

We expect that the introduction of the levy will mean that many more employers will offer many more apprenticeships opportunities to people of all ages and backgrounds than they would have otherwise done. Employers will have an incentive to employ apprentices to maximise the use of their levy funds and they will have control over funding for apprenticeships training. The generous co-investment rate will help them if they want to take on more apprentices than covered by their levy funds.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gordon Marsden on 2016-09-06.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when she plans to publish the impact assessment for her Department’s proposals for changes in funding rates for colleges and providers, published on 12 August 2016.

Robert Halfon

We have engaged thousands of employers and training providers throughout the development of the apprenticeship funding reforms and continue to do so. This engagement helped to shape the funding policy proposals for England from May 2017, published on 12 August. A survey seeking detailed views from employers and providers closed on 5 September.

Feedback from the survey will inform our understanding of the potential impact and final policy decisions will be made in due course. We aim to publish final policy in October 2016.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gordon Marsden on 2016-09-06.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make a statement about the implications for apprenticeship take-up by 16 to 18 year olds of her Department’s proposals for changes in funding rates for colleges and providers, published on 12 August 2016.

Robert Halfon

Apprenticeships are paid jobs that give young people the chance to reach their potential; acquire transferable skills much valued in the labour market and the apprentice does not have to contribute to the costs of their learning.

Our proposals for how apprenticeships will be paid for in England in the future include incentives for employers taking on younger apprentices – providing a £1,000 cash payment to both the employer and training provider to help with the extra costs of supporting apprentices in this age group and funding 100 per cent of apprenticeship training costs for small employers (with fewer than 50 staff) when they employ 16-18 year old apprentices.

In addition to apprenticeships, our funding priorities focus on providing young adults with the skills they need for sustainable work, including through traineeships; skills training for unemployed adults and English and maths for all those who need it, recognising that these are essential requirements for sustainable employment.

We are encouraging a wide range of people into apprenticeships – our ‘Get In Go Far’ campaign is aimed at 14-24 year-olds, their parents, teachers and employers. This major four-year campaign aims to influence public perceptions, awareness and attitudes towards apprenticeships as a route into a successful career, encouraging more young people to apply and more employers to offer apprenticeship opportunities.

The National Careers Service provides independent, professional advice on careers, skills and the labour market, including on the benefits of apprenticeships and how to apply for vacancies.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gordon Marsden on 2016-09-06.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the proportionate level of effect of her Department’s proposals for changes in apprenticeship funding, published on 12 August 2016, on (a) small employers, (b) young people in deprived areas and (c) apprenticeships offered in the service and tourism sectors.

Robert Halfon

Apprenticeships are a great way to progress in work and life and a great way for employers to improve the skills base of their businesses. They work for people of all ages and backgrounds and can transform lives.

We have engaged thousands of employers and training providers throughout the development of the apprenticeship funding reforms and continue to do so. This engagement helped to shape the funding policy proposals for England from May 2017, published on 12 August.

A survey seeking detailed views from employers and providers closed on 5 September, and the feedback will inform the final policy which we aim to publish in October, and our understanding of the potential impact.

Our proposed funding policy is designed to put employers of all sizes in more control, and supports individuals from all backgrounds and regions – it is not aimed at specific sectors or apprentices in deprived areas as our polices are aimed at everyone, including those groups.

Our proposals for how apprenticeships will be paid for in England in the future will simplify the current complex funding system by introducing a single funding band for individual apprenticeship framework pathways, putting them in line with apprenticeship standards, regardless of the age of the learner or geographic location.