Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether additional financial support is provided to apprentices who move away from home for an apprenticeship in the event that their wage is insufficient to cover rent and other living expenses; and what assessment he has made of the potential merits of increasing the financial support available to apprentices who are in that position.

Apprenticeships are paid jobs allowing people to earn while they learn and gain the necessary knowledge and skills needed to progress, or start an exciting career in a variety of industries.

Apprentices will need to cover their day-to-day expenses like living costs, rent and travel in most cases while undertaking an apprenticeship. Employers may offer work benefits such as travel loans, company equipment such as a phone or a car and in some cases offer relocation allowance to support the apprentice with living costs.

In April 2022, the department increased the apprentice national minimum wage by 11.9% to £4.81, aligning it with the under 18 national minimum wage. This makes apprenticeships more attractive, particularly to young people from low-income backgrounds. The Low Pay Commission noted Department for Education research in its 2021 Report, showing most employers pay their apprentices more than the minimum wage. Further information is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/minimum-wage-rates-for-2022.

The department recognises that young care-experienced apprentices, usually living independently, are more likely to struggle with living costs while on an apprenticeship. This is why in 2018 the department introduced a £1,000 bursary for care leavers on apprenticeships. The government continues to support people in work on low incomes, including housing costs, through Universal Credit.