Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the affordability of self-funded Level 7 professional qualifications for SMEs.

Since January 2026, the government no longer funds level 7 apprenticeships, equivalent to master’s degree level, except for young apprentices under the age of 22, and those under 25 who are care leavers or have an Education, Health and Care Plan. As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement on 2 June 2025, this decision was informed by a wide range of evidence including Skills England’s analysis of official apprenticeship statistics and engagement with a wide range of stakeholders. We considered impacts of the change on employers of all sizes, include SMEs.

Given the benefits to businesses, as well as their employees, the government encourages employers to invest in upskilling their staff aged 22 and over to this level, where relevant, to enable levy funding to be re-balanced towards young people.

The government's decision on defunding Level 7 apprenticeships for those aged 22 and over, including the full summary of the evidence that informed that decision, is published here: Written Statements - Hansard - UK Parliament