Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking with the private sector to set up more farming and horticulture apprenticeships.

There are a number of apprenticeship standards available to support the farming and horticulture sector, including the Level 2 General Farm Worker standard and the Level 2 Horticulture or Landscape Construction Operative.

We are transforming the Apprenticeship Levy into a new Growth and Skills Levy in England, backed by over £1 billion of additional investment. This will support 50,000 more young people into apprenticeships, give employers across all sectors, including farming and horticulture, greater flexibility to develop the workforce they need, and support the industrial strategy.

To create apprenticeship opportunities for young people, we are now fully funding apprenticeships for all eligible young people aged under 25 and have introduced a £2,000 hiring payment for non-levy paying employers (who are typically SMEs) that recruit apprentices aged under 25. Employers also benefit from not being required to pay anything towards employees’ National Insurance for all apprentices aged up to age 25, when the employee’s wage is below £50,270 a year.

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

The government also facilitates and funds the Apprenticeship Ambassador Network (AAN), which comprises around 2,000 employers and apprentices who actively volunteer to promote the benefits of apprenticeships. It operates across all parts of England through nine regional networks which provide buddying and mentoring support to small businesses to help them recruit and retain apprentices.