Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he plans to publish the eligibility criteria for fully funded SME apprenticeships for people under 25.

As announced at the Budget, the government will fully fund apprenticeships for non-levy paying employers (essentially SMEs) for eligible people aged under 25 from the next academic year.

This does not change the policy on level 7 apprenticeships which the government announced in June. From January 2026, the government will no longer fund level 7 apprenticeships except for apprentices under the age of 22, and those under the age of 25 who are care leavers or have an Education, Health and Care Plan. This applies to all employers, including SMEs.