Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will take steps to extend the two year deadline for spending the Apprenticeship Levy Fund for businesses if there have been delays in funding agreements by the Institute of Apprenticeships.

Levy paying employers are able to spend their levy funds on both apprenticeship frameworks and standards. There are over 200 apprenticeship standards which have been approved for delivery in addition to the 136 frameworks which are still available for delivery, offering a wide range of apprenticeships to suit business’ needs.

Apprenticeships funding expires from an employer’s account after 24 months if it has not been utilised. The government will distribute unused funding to committed employers, who can use this to fund further apprenticeship training.

The Institute of Apprenticeships is an independent body and carefully examine all funding recommendations, to ensure value for money in the apprenticeships system.