Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the operation of the Apprenticeship Levy and impact on the number of young people not in employment, education or training in Lincolnshire.

This Government is transforming the Apprenticeship Levy into a new Growth and Skills Levy in England, backed by £1 billion of additional investment. This will support 50,000 more young people across the country, including in Lincolnshire, into apprenticeships over the next three years. Young people and employers in Lincolnshire will also benefit from a range of additional measures to increase apprenticeship opportunities and support recruitment.

In August 2025, we introduced foundation apprenticeships to give young people a new route into careers in critical sectors, enabling them to earn while they learn, and in April 2026 expanded the offer to hospitality and retail, creating more opportunities for young people at the start of their careers.

The Government is also investing £240 million to pilot enhanced apprenticeship brokerage services across all 14 Mayoral Strategic Authorities (MSAs). The programme will help more young people aged 16-24, particularly those who are not in education, employment or training (NEET), to access apprenticeship opportunities while supporting employers to recruit local talent.

The Government also funds and supports the Apprenticeship Ambassador Network (AAN) which comprises over 3,000 employers and apprentices who volunteer to promote the benefits of apprenticeships. It operates across all parts of England, including in Lincolnshire, through nine regional networks. These networks provide buddying and mentoring support to small businesses to help them recruit and retain apprentices.

As of August, the Government fully funds apprenticeship training costs for all eligible under 25 apprentices for employers of all sizes.

We have also introduced a £2,000 hiring payment for non-levy employers who recruit a 16–24-year-old apprentice as a new employee. Employers recruiting apprentices aged 18-24 who have been on Universal Credit for over six months may also be eligible for the new £3,000 Youth Jobs Grant.

In addition, employers and training providers each receive £1,000 when they take on apprentices aged under 19, or 19-to-24-year-old apprentices who have an EHCP or have been, or are, in care.

These payments can be combined where eligibility criteria are met.

Taken together these reforms will expand apprenticeship opportunities, strengthen employer engagement and help more young people, including those in Lincolnshire, to access high-quality apprenticeships.