Sarah Gibson: All Documents

Written Question

Small Businesses: Apprentices

Wednesday 10th December 2025

Asked by: Sarah Gibson (Liberal Democrat - Chippenham)

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he plans to publish the eligibility criteria for fully funded SME apprenticeships for people under 25.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

As announced at the Budget, the government will fully fund apprenticeships for non-levy paying employers (essentially SMEs) for eligible people aged under 25 from the next academic year.

This does not change the policy on level 7 apprenticeships which the government announced in June. From January 2026, the government will no longer fund level 7 apprenticeships except for apprentices under the age of 22, and those under the age of 25 who are care leavers or have an Education, Health and Care Plan. This applies to all employers, including SMEs.

Speech in Westminster Hall - Tue 09 Dec 2025
Water Scarcity

"On the subject of flooding, which is slightly off the point, I have just received information from the Environment Agency to say that Chippenham is flooding again this year. The Minister will remember that she and I spent some time mopping out in wellies, and we are at that point …..."
Sarah Gibson - View Speech

View all Sarah Gibson (LD - Chippenham) contributions to the debate on: Water Scarcity

Speech in Westminster Hall - Tue 09 Dec 2025
Network Rail Timetable Changes: Rural Communities

"I represent a rural constituency in Wiltshire. Our local college has had to reduce the timetable for its 16 to 18-year-olds, given that they can no longer rely on trains that are constantly delayed. That causes issues related to deprivation, which was highlighted in recent Government statistics as being caused …..."
Sarah Gibson - View Speech

View all Sarah Gibson (LD - Chippenham) contributions to the debate on: Network Rail Timetable Changes: Rural Communities

Speech in Westminster Hall - Tue 09 Dec 2025
Water Scarcity

"My constituency is in Wiltshire, and the northern part is served by Thames Water. In Lyneham we seem to see outages almost every week. Thames Water is wasting water and pouring it down the streets of Royal Wootton Bassett, but cannot supply tap water to Lyneham or to parts of …..."
Sarah Gibson - View Speech

View all Sarah Gibson (LD - Chippenham) contributions to the debate on: Water Scarcity

Division Vote (Commons)
9 Dec 2025 - UK-EU Customs Union (Duty to Negotiate) - View Vote Context
Sarah Gibson (LD) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 65 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 0 Liberal Democrat No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 100 Noes - 100

Speech in Westminster Hall - Mon 08 Dec 2025
Digital ID

"I will be very brief. My constituency is in rural Wiltshire, where a huge number of residents have taken part in this petition. Does the hon. Member agree that digital exclusion is a reality in areas like mine?..."
Sarah Gibson - View Speech

View all Sarah Gibson (LD - Chippenham) contributions to the debate on: Digital ID

Division Vote (Commons)
8 Dec 2025 - Employment Rights Bill - View Vote Context
Sarah Gibson (LD) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 64 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 0 Liberal Democrat No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 395 Noes - 98

Division Vote (Commons)
8 Dec 2025 - Employment Rights Bill - View Vote Context
Sarah Gibson (LD) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 1 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 0 Liberal Democrat No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 300 Noes - 96

Division Vote (Commons)
8 Dec 2025 - Employment Rights Bill - View Vote Context
Sarah Gibson (LD) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 63 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 0 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 327 Noes - 162