Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he plans to allow automotive businesses to use Growth and Skills Levy funds for modular training during temporary production pauses.

In April 2026 we launched the first apprenticeship units, focusing on priority sectors including artificial intelligence (AI), digital, construction and engineering.

Apprenticeship units are short courses for people aged 19 and over who are already employed, lasting between 30 and 140 hours and can be delivered over one to 16 weeks. They are built from the knowledge and skills within existing employer-led occupational apprenticeship standards, ensuring high-quality, targeted training. They target immediate shortages in areas that will drive productivity and growth and help employers, including in the automotive industry, to upskill existing employees quickly and flexibly.