Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what the average time was for businesses applying for and receiving financial support under the Apprenticeship Grant for Employers Scheme; and what (a) benchmarks and (b) targets he has set for that time period.

Payment and processing for the Apprenticeship Grant for Employers Scheme is triggered once the apprentice has reached 13 weeks into their apprenticeship. From the day the apprentice reaches the 13 week date, the payment can take between 5 weeks and 9 weeks to reach the training provider. This is dependent on where the 13 week point falls in relation to the next monthly data return to the Skills Funding Agency. The Skills Funding Agency pays the provider who then pays the employer. The government benchmark is to pay suppliers within 30 days, this applies to the payment being made to the employer by the provider, once the provider has received funds from the Skills Funding Agency.