Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she plans to take to ensure large employers ring-fence apprenticeship levy funding to be used for apprenticeship starts for 16-to-18 year-olds.

The apprenticeship levy will enable us to fund the step change needed to achieve 3 million quality apprenticeship starts in England by 2020, providing more opportunities for people of all ages to begin or further develop their careers.

As an employer-led programme, employers must be able to make decisions on recruitment to meet their skills needs.

To ensure young people have access to apprenticeships we are providing £1,000 to both employers and training providers when they take on 16 to 18 year olds or 19 to 24 year olds who were in care or who have an Education and Health Care Plan.

To support and grow apprenticeships amongst smaller employers who do not pay the levy, we are providing generous co-investment support and extending this to 100% support for the smallest employers taking on younger apprentices.