Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will ensure that apprenticeships of all levels including levels (a) 6 and (b) 7 will continue to be eligible for apprenticeship levy funding.

We are pleased that employers are choosing to move to new, higher-quality apprenticeship standards. Employers are designing higher-level apprenticeships that take longer, require more off-the-job training and as a result cost more, and that presents longer-term financial challenges.

We continue to make funding available for apprenticeships at all levels, including levels 6 and 7. We will keep our funding policy under review in order to ensure that apprenticeships continue to be affordable and offer value for money for the taxpayer.

In 2019-20, funding available for investment in apprenticeships will have increased to over £2.5 billion, double what was spent in 2010.