Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the total spend has been on (a) level 2 (b) level 3 and (c) above level 3 apprenticeships in each of the last three financial years; and if he will make a statement.
The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) publishes details of apprenticeships spend in its annual reports and accounts. Overall spend for the last 3 financial years can be found at the following links: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/727363/ESFA_ARA_2017-18_WEB.pdf, https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/630972/2016_to_2017_SFA_ARA_web_version.pdf and https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/630097/EFA_2016-17_Annual_Report_and_Accounts_PRINT.pdf.
The ESFA does not publish spend by level of apprenticeship. Spending on the apprenticeship programme is demand-led and employers can choose the amount, frequency and level of apprenticeships that they offer.
The following table provides an estimate of spend at level 2, level 3 and level 4 and above in each of the last 3 financial years alongside total published spend.
Estimated apprenticeship participation spend by level from 2015-16 to 2017-18 (in millions of pounds)
Financial year | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4+ | Participation spend | Total published spend |
2015-16 | £756 | £638 | £47 | £1,441 | £1,540 |
2016-17 | £771 | £686 | £75 | £1,533 | £1,632 |
2017-18 | £672 | £724 | £126 | £1,522 | £1,580 |
The analysis provided is based on provider earnings data taken from the Individualised Learner Record and adjusted proportionately to match participation spend figures. The amount that providers claim in earnings may differ from the amount that the provider is paid following reconciliation. These estimated spend figures will therefore not fully align with actual spend. Total spend, published in the ESFA annual report and accounts, which includes participation and non-participation, is provided alongside for reference.