Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he plans to increase the number of (a) training and (b) apprenticeship positions in areas where construction represents a substantial share of local employment.

The Department for Work and Pensions is committed to expanding access to high-quality construction training and apprenticeship opportunities across England, particularly in areas where the sector plays a significant role in the local economy.

A wide range of government-funded programmes are available to support construction employers in hiring new staff, offering work experience, and upskilling existing employees. These include Apprenticeships, including foundation apprenticeships, Skills Bootcamps, and Free Courses for Jobs.

Through the Construction Support Package, the Government is investing £625 million to train up to 60,000 additional construction workers by 2029.

To ensure strategic delivery and alignment with workforce needs, the Construction Skills Mission Board has been established.

This coordinated approach is helping to increase the number of training and apprenticeship positions in local areas, ensuring that communities benefit from secure, well-paid jobs in construction and that the sector has the skilled workforce it needs to deliver vital infrastructure and housing projects.