VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Apprentices: Environmental Health

Asked by Blake StephensonConservativeDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled Answered 21 October 2025UIN 74973

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of apprenticeships on increasing the environmental health workforce.

Answered by Andrew Western

Employers operating in environmental health have developed the environmental health practitioner level 6 degree apprenticeship to help them develop their workforces. Further detail about the apprenticeship can be found on the Skills England website at: https://skillsengland.education.gov.uk/apprenticeships/st0714-v1-0.

The government is transforming the apprenticeships offer into a new growth and skills offer, which will offer greater flexibility to employers and learners in England and support the industrial strategy. In August the department introduced new foundation apprenticeships for young people in targeted sectors, as well as shorter duration apprenticeships. These flexibilities will help more people learn new high-quality skills at work and fuel innovation in businesses across the country.

Skills England is working closely with employers to identify priority skills gaps, helping ensure that the levy-funded growth and skills offer delivers value for money, meets the needs of business and helps kick-start economic growth.

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