Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions he has had with the (a) Association of Employment and Learning Providers, (b) Association of Colleges and (c) EEF on the level of apprenticeship starts since the introduction of the apprenticeship levy.

I and my other ministers in the department meet regularly with the Association of Employment and Learning Providers, the Association of Colleges, and the Education Endowment Foundation to discuss a range of matters including apprenticeships.

All of these groups are working with senior officials through our Apprenticeship Stakeholder Board to discuss a range of apprenticeship issues.

Discussions included how we can make best use of the apprenticeship levy to deliver high quality apprenticeships at all levels.