Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many apprentices employed by (a) his Department and (b) its executive agencies and associated bodies are aged (i) 16 to 18, (ii) 19 to 24 and (iii) 25 years or older; and how many of those apprentices employed in each form of body and of each age group were previously employed by the Government.

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills currently employs 47 apprentices.

3 apprentices are aged (i) 16 to 18,

12 apprentices are aged (ii) 19 to 24 and

32 apprentices are aged (iii) 25 or over.

31 apprentices aged 25 or over were previously employed by the Government. None of the apprentices in the other age groups were previously employed by the Government.

I have asked Chief Executives of the executive agencies to respond directly to the hon. Member and these are attached.