VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Apprentices: Finance

Asked by Blake StephensonConservativeDepartment for EducationTabled Answered 16 September 2025UIN 74971

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on reducing funding for Level 7 apprenticeships.

Answered by Josh MacAlister

This government has a driving mission to break down barriers to opportunity.

From January 2026, the government will no longer fund level 7 apprenticeships, equivalent to master’s degree level, except for young apprentices under the age of 22. This will enable apprenticeship opportunities to be rebalanced towards young people, whose rate of apprenticeship starts has fallen by almost 40% over the last decade.

This decision was informed by a wide range of evidence, including analysis by Skills England of official apprenticeship statistics and engagement with relevant stakeholders, including other government departments such as the Department of Health and Social Care.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim