Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the extent of apprenticeship opportunities in the hospice sector.

We are increasing funding for apprenticeships to £2.7 billion by 2024/25. This will support apprenticeships in non-levy employers, such as hospices, where the Government will continue to pay 95% of training costs.

Since 1 April 2021, all non-levy paying employers, including hospices, arranging new apprenticeships must do so through the apprenticeship service. This provides more control over apprenticeship choices and the ability to reserve funds before choosing the appropriate apprenticeship provider. All small and medium-sized enterprises, such as hospices, have been able to reserve funding for up to 10 new apprenticeships in 2021/22.