Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how the Youth Guarantee and apprenticeship reforms will support apprenticeships in labour-intensive service sectors such as hair and beauty.

Apprenticeship standards supporting the hair and beauty sector include the Level 2 Hairdressing Professional and Level 2 Barbering Professional standards.

The Government is investing £2.5 billion by 2029 through the Youth Guarantee and the additional funding for the Growth and Skills Levy, creating opportunities for young people to access work, training and apprenticeships.

We are providing financial support to employers to recruit young apprentices, including hiring payments, Youth Jobs Grants and incentive payments for eligible apprentices.

Apprenticeship training is now fully funded for all eligible under-25s, while the Apprenticeship Ambassador Network supports employers to recruit and retain apprentices. Skills England continues to engage with the sector to understand and address barriers to apprenticeship take-up.