Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to increase the number of apprenticeships in (a) construction and (b) social care sectors; and what steps she is taking to ensure that these will be targeted at disadvantaged communities.

The government is committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity. To support this, the department is reforming the apprenticeships offer into a new growth and skills offer, providing greater flexibility for employers and learners.

From August 2025, the offer will include new foundation apprenticeships for young people, as well as shorter-duration apprenticeships, helping more individuals, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds, gain high-quality skills. Construction and social care will be among the first sectors to benefit, with the introduction of four new apprenticeship standards, as well as shorter apprenticeships including the level 2 healthcare support worker and level 2 smart meter installer. These measures, backed by a record £3 billion English apprenticeship budget for 2025/26, will open up opportunities for careers the country vitally needs to prosper.

To improve access to apprenticeships, the department provides £1,000 to employers and training providers for apprentices aged 16 to 18, and up to age 24 for apprentices with an education, health and care plan. Apprentices under 25 who have been in local authority care are also eligible for a £3,000 bursary to help them transition into employment. Employers will receive £2,000 for each foundation apprentice they hire and retain, to support them to transition into employment.