Department for Work and Pensions

All providers of all government funded apprenticeships are required to submit information on apprenticeship starts and completions which are held on the Longitudinal Individualised Learner Record.

Starts and achievements on the Level 2 Bricklayer, Level 3 Craft Bricklayer, Level 2 Carpentry and Joinery, Level 3 Craft Carpentry and Joinery, Level 2 Painter and Decorator, Level 3 Craft Painter and Decorator and Level 2 Plasterer apprenticeship standards can be found here and attached. 'Subjects - Starts, Achievements, Enrolments by Age, Sex, Ethnicity, LLDD, SSA, Detailed level, Standard-framework' from 'Apprenticeships', Permanent data table - Explore education statistics - GOV.UK.

Apprenticeships are occupationally specific and employers are responsible for determining whether an individual has the skills, knowledge and behaviours needed to start a particular apprenticeship. There is no general requirement for an individual to have completed a Level 2 apprenticeship in order to begin the corresponding Level 3 apprenticeship.

In relation to the Level 3 Craft Painting and Decorating, Level 3 Craft Plastering, and Level 3 Craft Bricklaying standard, completion of the associated Level 2 apprenticeship is not a mandatory prerequisite. An apprentice may start a Level 3 apprenticeship where they can demonstrate the relevant prior knowledge, skills and experience required by the employer and training provider.

Employers are free to set entry requirements for their vacancies, taking account of the content and level of the apprenticeship standard. The government expects training providers and employers to take account of relevant prior learning and occupational competence when determining whether an applicant is suitable for a particular apprenticeship programme.

Where an individual has already acquired some of the knowledge, skills and behaviours set out in the apprenticeship standard, this must be recognised through an assessment of prior learning and the apprenticeship content and duration adjusted accordingly.

All providers of all government funded apprenticeships are required to submit information on apprenticeship starts and completions which are held on the Longitudinal Individualised Learner Record.

Starts and achievements on the Level 2 Bricklayer, Level 3 Craft Bricklayer, Level 2 Carpentry and Joinery, Level 3 Craft Carpentry and Joinery, Level 2 Painter and Decorator, Level 3 Craft Painter and Decorator and Level 2 Plasterer apprenticeship standards can be found here and attached. 'Subjects - Starts, Achievements, Enrolments by Age, Sex, Ethnicity, LLDD, SSA, Detailed level, Standard-framework' from 'Apprenticeships', Permanent data table - Explore education statistics - GOV.UK.

Apprenticeships are occupationally specific and employers are responsible for determining whether an individual has the skills, knowledge and behaviours needed to start a particular apprenticeship. There is no general requirement for an individual to have completed a Level 2 apprenticeship in order to begin the corresponding Level 3 apprenticeship.

In relation to the Level 3 Craft Painting and Decorating, Level 3 Craft Plastering, and Level 3 Craft Bricklaying standard, completion of the associated Level 2 apprenticeship is not a mandatory prerequisite. An apprentice may start a Level 3 apprenticeship where they can demonstrate the relevant prior knowledge, skills and experience required by the employer and training provider.

Employers are free to set entry requirements for their vacancies, taking account of the content and level of the apprenticeship standard. The government expects training providers and employers to take account of relevant prior learning and occupational competence when determining whether an applicant is suitable for a particular apprenticeship programme.

Where an individual has already acquired some of the knowledge, skills and behaviours set out in the apprenticeship standard, this must be recognised through an assessment of prior learning and the apprenticeship content and duration adjusted accordingly.

The government recognises the importance of maritime apprenticeships in helping employers develop a skilled workforce. Skills England works with employers and sector bodies to develop and maintain a range of maritime apprenticeship standards, ensuring they reflect employer needs.

Skills England is consulting with stakeholders on retiring some occupational standards. This is often due to low levels of new starts or delivery challenges, including limited provider availability. In this context, "retirement" means that the apprenticeship would close to new starts, while existing apprentices would normally be able to complete their training. The consultation is still live and so no final decision has been taken.

Information on the number of apprentices who may be affected in each region of England is not currently available, as no decision has been taken.

Young people wishing to pursue maritime careers can access a range of technical qualifications and employer-led training programmes. For more information please see, Occupational Maps: Skills England.

To further increase apprenticeship opportunities, the Government is introducing a £2,000 apprenticeship hiring payment for non-levy paying employers who recruit 16 to 24-year-olds as new apprentice employees. In addition, apprenticeship training is now fully funded for all eligible under-25s at employers of all sizes, helping more young people access opportunities in sectors such as maritime.

The government recognises the importance of maritime apprenticeships in helping employers develop a skilled workforce. Skills England works with employers and sector bodies to develop and maintain a range of maritime apprenticeship standards, ensuring they reflect employer needs.

Skills England is consulting with stakeholders on retiring some occupational standards. This is often due to low levels of new starts or delivery challenges, including limited provider availability. In this context, "retirement" means that the apprenticeship would close to new starts, while existing apprentices would normally be able to complete their training. The consultation is still live and so no final decision has been taken.

Information on the number of apprentices who may be affected in each region of England is not currently available, as no decision has been taken.

Young people wishing to pursue maritime careers can access a range of technical qualifications and employer-led training programmes. For more information please see, Occupational Maps: Skills England.

To further increase apprenticeship opportunities, the Government is introducing a £2,000 apprenticeship hiring payment for non-levy paying employers who recruit 16 to 24-year-olds as new apprentice employees. In addition, apprenticeship training is now fully funded for all eligible under-25s at employers of all sizes, helping more young people access opportunities in sectors such as maritime.

The government recognises the importance of maritime apprenticeships in helping employers develop a skilled workforce. Skills England works with employers and sector bodies to develop and maintain a range of maritime apprenticeship standards, ensuring they reflect employer needs.

Skills England is consulting with stakeholders on retiring some occupational standards. This is often due to low levels of new starts or delivery challenges, including limited provider availability. In this context, "retirement" means that the apprenticeship would close to new starts, while existing apprentices would normally be able to complete their training. The consultation is still live and so no final decision has been taken.

Information on the number of apprentices who may be affected in each region of England is not currently available, as no decision has been taken.

Young people wishing to pursue maritime careers can access a range of technical qualifications and employer-led training programmes. For more information please see, Occupational Maps: Skills England.

To further increase apprenticeship opportunities, the Government is introducing a £2,000 apprenticeship hiring payment for non-levy paying employers who recruit 16 to 24-year-olds as new apprentice employees. In addition, apprenticeship training is now fully funded for all eligible under-25s at employers of all sizes, helping more young people access opportunities in sectors such as maritime.

The Public Authorities (Fraud, Error, and Recovery) Act 2025 achieved Royal Assent on Tuesday 2 December 2025. The Act will help to address the significant challenge of public sector fraud and error, which costs the taxpayer billions of pounds annually.

The different measures contained in the Act are due to come into force across different dates between 2026 and 2029.

Whilst the Debt measures contained in the Act commenced in June 2026, the supporting regulations which will further develop the operational framework for the new recovery powers introduced in the Act will not come into force until October. As a result, to date, no driving licence disqualifications have yet been issued.

DWP’s spend on communications, marketing and advertising is an important part of our duty to inform the public about essential policies and services that support people, including some of the most vulnerable, in their daily lives.

Our campaigns reach key audiences effectively and communicate a range of DWP campaign messages. For example, the Pension Credit campaign which informs people about targeted financial support available. Employment campaigns support customers to take up work and training opportunities. The Tell DWP Campaign is designed to address fraud and error in the benefits system.

Without targeted campaigns, millions of citizens would miss out on services, rights, and support to which they are entitled.

In financial year 2024 -25 the Department spent £9.8m on marketing and advertising.

For financial year 2025-26 the data is not yet held by the Department, as the contract with the government’s media buying agency for the requested period has now ended.

Please note figures are rounded to nearest £0.1m.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has recently consulted widely on proposed changes to the lead in blood exposure levels in the Control of Lead at Work Regulations (CLAW) 2002. The consultation concluded on 7 June 2026, and included consideration of the impact on different categories of workers including women of reproductive capacity and the operability of any proposed changes.

HSE will continue its analysis and engagement to better understand the impact of the proposed levels in the coming months, prior to making any further recommendations for reform. Since early 2025, HSE has been engaging with a range of businesses especially the heritage sector, which employs a high proportion of women, about possible changes to CLAW to inform this work.

An assessment of dropping the 2.5% element of the Triple lock on pensions and only uprating the equivalent of the basic state pension's value by the triple lock each year, with the remaining state pension payments uprated by prices, would incur disproportionate cost.

The Office for Budget Responsibility assume long-term annual growth rates for the following economic determinants: Consumer Price Index (2.0%), Average Earnings (3.75%) and ‘Triple Lock’ (4.31%).

Source: OBR Long-term economic determinants - March 2026 Economic and Fiscal Outlook

In the quarter ending March 2026, around 5.4 million people (41%) who were receiving State Pension were receiving the New State Pension, while around 7.9 million people (59%) were receiving the Basic State Pension. The total State Pension caseload was approximately 13.3 million people.

Source: DWP Stat‑Xplore.

The Department holds information on individuals' National Insurance contribution records, including qualifying years relevant to State Pension entitlement. DWP has made no assessment of the savings arising from increasing the number of qualifying years required for a full State Pension from 35 to 48.

The Government's monitoring and evaluation framework, and baseline report, commit to assessing how child poverty trends and experiences vary across different family types and demographic groups. Children aged under five are an important group of interest, as set out in the Strategy’s evidence pack, and will continue to be considered within the Government's ongoing monitoring and analysis of child poverty outcomes.

The Government recognises the importance of the early years in shaping children's outcomes and life chances. This is why supporting children to have the best start in life is central to the Government's approach to tackling child poverty.

Our wider support for families with young children includes investing over £900 million in Best Start Family Hubs and Healthy Babies, bringing together health, parenting support and early years services in a more connected, place-based model of support for families. Best Start Family Hubs focus on pregnancy and the early years, including the critical 1,001 days from conception to age two, helping ensure that babies, young children and their parents can access support at the earliest opportunity.

Details of enforcement notices served HSE are available through this public register:

Find an improvement or prohibition notice - HSE

With around one million young people not in education, employment and training, this Government will not leave an entire generation of young people behind. The government is investing an additional £2.5 billion by 2029 into the Youth Guarantee and the Growth and Skills Levy, supporting almost one million young people and creating up to 500,000 opportunities to earn and learn.

This includes the expansion of Youth Hubs across Great Britain. As of 16 September 2026, there are 9 Youth Hubs open in Scotland with a further 19 planned to open by 2029. This investment also supports the introduction of a new Youth Guarantee Gateway in Jobcentres, to provide earlier and more intensive support to 16–24-year-olds on Universal Credit.

Our investment will create up to 500,000 opportunities to earn and learn including 300,000 additional opportunities to gain workplace experience and training and up to 200,000 additional employment opportunities, through a new £3,000 Youth Jobs Grant for employers hiring 18–24-year-olds who have been on Universal Credit for over six months, and the Jobs Guarantee scheme, which is available in Central and East Scotland, rolling out nationally from November 2026. All young people in Scotland who meet the eligibility criteria will be offered the relevant support.

For those living with terminal illness, the Government believes it is compassionate and appropriate to allow access to private pension savings. While the intent of the current rules is to provide flexibility while keeping in place important safeguards to avoid risk of error and misuse, the Government recognises that the permissive nature of these rules means some individuals may have different experiences with access, depending on their scheme. We are engaging with a range of stakeholders on this important matter and will provide an update in due course. We would be happy to hear from pension members and stakeholders about their experiences.

The previous government committed to bring forward the rise in the State Pension age to 68 between 2037 and 2039.

The first chance this government will have to consider this issue will be via the State Pension age Review.

The previous government committed to bring forward the rise in the State Pension age to 68 between 2037 and 2039.

The first chance this government will have to consider this issue will be via the State Pension age Review.

The Department recognises that response times to hon. Members’ enquiries on behalf of constituents have not been consistently adequate in recent months, as higher complaint volumes and increasingly complex cases have affected our response times. The Department is actively addressing these pressures and driving improvements in both timeliness and efficiency.

The Department is taking urgent action to improve complaint handling and response times, with a clear focus on resolving issues as quickly as possible, including at the earliest point of contact where appropriate.

To support this, we have deployed additional resources to complaints and correspondence teams and prioritised activity to strengthen performance monitoring and improve timeliness. We have introduced enhanced senior oversight and improved case management processes to support faster, more consistent responses.

Where a complaint requires formal investigation, the Department’s service standard aims to provide a full response within 15 working days. More complex cases may take longer; however, the Department seeks to keep customers informed of progress and expected timescales. CMS continues to investigate the case, and an update was provided to the hon. Member on 1 September 2026 outlining the current position.

The Department is clear that hon. Members must be able to rely on timely and accurate information when representing their constituents. Improving response times remains a key operational priority, and these measures are intended to deliver a more timely and efficient service for customers and hon. Members alike.

The Government Internal Audit Agency undertakes independent, internal disciplinary investigations on behalf of the DWP into allegations of internal fraud and other serious misconduct.

Of the 40 benefit-related investigations completed by GIAA in 2025-26, 39 related to DWP employees and one related to an individual employed by an outsourced provider.

To avoid prejudicing ongoing investigations and to comply with data protection obligations, the Department is unable to provide further information on individual cases, including details of the benefits involved, the nature of the misconduct, the number of claimants affected, disciplinary outcomes, criminal referrals, criminal proceedings, or amounts recovered or written off.

Information relating to any successful criminal convictions becomes publicly available through the courts.

The Department takes its responsibility for protecting the public purse extremely seriously and seeks to recover losses arising from internal fraud wherever possible. The Department has a range of debt recovery powers available, including recovery of assets under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

The Government Internal Audit Agency undertakes independent, internal disciplinary investigations on behalf of the DWP into allegations of internal fraud and other serious misconduct.

Of the 40 benefit-related investigations completed by GIAA in 2025-26, 39 related to DWP employees and one related to an individual employed by an outsourced provider.

To avoid prejudicing ongoing investigations and to comply with data protection obligations, the Department is unable to provide further information on individual cases, including details of the benefits involved, the nature of the misconduct, the number of claimants affected, disciplinary outcomes, criminal referrals, criminal proceedings, or amounts recovered or written off.

Information relating to any successful criminal convictions becomes publicly available through the courts.

The Department takes its responsibility for protecting the public purse extremely seriously and seeks to recover losses arising from internal fraud wherever possible. The Department has a range of debt recovery powers available, including recovery of assets under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

The Government Internal Audit Agency undertakes independent, internal disciplinary investigations on behalf of the DWP into allegations of internal fraud and other serious misconduct.

Of the 40 benefit-related investigations completed by GIAA in 2025-26, 39 related to DWP employees and one related to an individual employed by an outsourced provider.

To avoid prejudicing ongoing investigations and to comply with data protection obligations, the Department is unable to provide further information on individual cases, including details of the benefits involved, the nature of the misconduct, the number of claimants affected, disciplinary outcomes, criminal referrals, criminal proceedings, or amounts recovered or written off.

Information relating to any successful criminal convictions becomes publicly available through the courts.

The Department takes its responsibility for protecting the public purse extremely seriously and seeks to recover losses arising from internal fraud wherever possible. The Department has a range of debt recovery powers available, including recovery of assets under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

The Government Internal Audit Agency undertakes independent, internal disciplinary investigations on behalf of the DWP into allegations of internal fraud and other serious misconduct.

Of the 40 benefit-related investigations completed by GIAA in 2025-26, 39 related to DWP employees and one related to an individual employed by an outsourced provider.

To avoid prejudicing ongoing investigations and to comply with data protection obligations, the Department is unable to provide further information on individual cases, including details of the benefits involved, the nature of the misconduct, the number of claimants affected, disciplinary outcomes, criminal referrals, criminal proceedings, or amounts recovered or written off.

Information relating to any successful criminal convictions becomes publicly available through the courts.

The Department takes its responsibility for protecting the public purse extremely seriously and seeks to recover losses arising from internal fraud wherever possible. The Department has a range of debt recovery powers available, including recovery of assets under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

The Government Internal Audit Agency undertakes independent, internal disciplinary investigations on behalf of the DWP into allegations of internal fraud and other serious misconduct.

Of the 40 benefit-related investigations completed by GIAA in 2025-26, 39 related to DWP employees and one related to an individual employed by an outsourced provider.

To avoid prejudicing ongoing investigations and to comply with data protection obligations, the Department is unable to provide further information on individual cases, including details of the benefits involved, the nature of the misconduct, the number of claimants affected, disciplinary outcomes, criminal referrals, criminal proceedings, or amounts recovered or written off.

Information relating to any successful criminal convictions becomes publicly available through the courts.

The Department takes its responsibility for protecting the public purse extremely seriously and seeks to recover losses arising from internal fraud wherever possible. The Department has a range of debt recovery powers available, including recovery of assets under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

The government recognises the importance of aviation apprenticeships in helping employers develop a skilled workforce. Skills England is consulting with stakeholders on the proposal to retire certain occupational standards, often due to low levels of new starts or a range of delivery challenges, including limited provider availability. The potential impact on youth employment and skills development opportunities will form part of the assessment of consultation responses.

As an executive agency sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions. Skills England reviews standards to ensure that they continue to meet employer need. The current consultation is still live, and no final decision has been taken. Aviation sector stakeholders have been engaged throughout, and we will continue to work closely with them throughout the process.

The government recognises the importance of aviation apprenticeships in helping employers develop a skilled workforce. Skills England is consulting with stakeholders on the proposal to retire certain occupational standards, often due to low levels of new starts or a range of delivery challenges, including limited provider availability. The potential impact on youth employment and skills development opportunities will form part of the assessment of consultation responses.

As an executive agency sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions. Skills England reviews standards to ensure that they continue to meet employer need. The current consultation is still live, and no final decision has been taken. Aviation sector stakeholders have been engaged throughout, and we will continue to work closely with them throughout the process.

The government recognises the importance of maritime apprenticeships in helping employers develop a skilled workforce and in creating opportunities for people in maritime communities to enter rewarding careers at sea. Skills England works with employers and sector bodies to develop and maintain a range of maritime apprenticeship standards, ensuring they reflect employer needs.

To increase apprenticeship opportunities, the Government is introducing a £2,000 apprenticeship hiring payment for non-levy paying employers who recruit 16 to 24-year-olds as new apprentice employees. In addition, apprenticeship training is now fully funded for all eligible under-25s at employers of all sizes, helping more young people access opportunities in sectors such as maritime.

The Public Authorities (Fraud, Error, and Recovery) Act 2025 achieved Royal Assent on Tuesday 2 December 2025. The Act will help to address the significant challenge of public sector fraud and error, which costs the taxpayer billions of pounds annually.

The different measures contained in the Act are due to come into force across different dates between 2026 and 2029.

Whilst the Debt measures contained in the Act commenced in June 2026, the supporting regulations which will further develop the operational framework for the new recovery powers introduced in the Act will not come into force until October. As a result, to date, no direct deduction orders have been issued.

As at 31 December 2025, there were 1,684 paid employees in the Department for Work and Pensions recorded as Contracted Homeworkers. This represented 1.79% of the Department's total workforce. These are typically temporary arrangements and are reviewed regularly.

Identity fraud is a serious criminal offence and one that the Department is committed to tackling.

DWP uses a range of data and analytics to identify claims at risk of fraud so that these claims can be reviewed by relevant DWP teams.

We have specialist teams and robust processes in place to detect fraudulent documents and fraudulent claims and to offer support to anyone who thinks that they may have been a victim of identity fraud. Some information around the losses attributed to fraudulent claims made using a hijacked identity can be found at page 294 of this year’s Annual Report and Accounts ANNUAL REPORT and ACCOUNTS 2025 to 2026, however, it would not be in the public interest to divulge further details of the information requested as it would compromise our ability to prevent and detect fraud.

Since the Autumn Budget 2024 DWP has committed to delivering gross savings of £14.6bn up to the end of 2030-31 from fraud, error and debt activity

In 2026, the Department has continued to strengthen its approach to tackling fraud and error across the welfare system through increased operational activity, the use of new powers, and targeted interventions to identify incorrect claims. These activities include:

- investments to deploy up to 3,000 additional staff within counter fraud teams,

- delivering the extension of Targeted Case Reviews (TCR) in Universal Credit to check accuracy of claims at risk of being incorrect,

- introducing Pension Credit Claim Reviews (PCCR) to check claims at risk of being incorrect,

- the implementation of the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Act 2025 (PAFER) which introduces new powers to better identify, prevent and deter fraud and error

- and continuing to seek prosecutions in the courts for those who commit benefit fraud.

Overall, levels of benefit fraud are the lowest since the pandemic and currently stand at 2.2%, compared to a peak of 3.0% in FYE 2022.

With around one million young people not in education, employment or training, this Government will not leave an entire generation of young people behind. In Scotland, health, skills, careers and employment support are partially devolved to the Scottish Parliament, resulting in a mix of Scottish and UK-wide control. Our officials work closely with those in the Scottish Parliament, sharing best practice on providing employment support to disabled people.

We set out our plan for the Pathways to Work Guarantee in our Pathways to Work Green Paper and we are building towards our guaranteed offer of personalised work, health and skills support for disabled people and those with health conditions on out of work benefits. The guarantee is backed by £1 billion a year of new, additional funding by the end of the decade. We anticipate the guarantee, once fully rolled out, will include: a support conversation to identify next steps, one-to-one caseworker support, periodic engagement, and an offer of specialist long-term work health and skills support. The Scottish Government received consequential funding in the usual way.

Disabled people and people with health conditions can face a wide range of unique, yet intersecting barriers, relating to not just their health, but their employment and circumstance. We therefore have a range of specialist initiatives to support individuals to stay in work and get back into work, including those that join up employment and health systems. Existing measures include support from Work Coaches and Disability Employment Advisers in Jobcentres and Access to Work grants, as well as joining up health and employment support around the individual.

Youth Hubs, Youth Guarantee Gateway, work experience and training, jobs grant are available across Great Britain. This includes the expansion of Youth Hubs to more than 360 areas across Great Britain, and the introduction of a new Youth Guarantee Gateway in Jobcentres, to provide earlier and more intensive support to 16–24-year-olds on Universal Credit. Our investment will create up to 500,000 opportunities to earn and learn including 300,000 additional opportunities to gain workplace experience and training and up to 200,000 additional employment opportunities, through a new £3,000 Youth Jobs Grant for employers hiring 18–24-year-olds who have been on Universal Credit for over six months, and the Jobs Guarantee scheme, providing long-term unemployed 18–24-year-olds with a fully funded six month job. The apprenticeship system is devolved in Scotland.

We recognise the crisis of participation that Alan Milburn has so clearly laid out in his interim report. We will use this interim report to continue to build our reforms and look forward to final recommendations in the Autumn.

We know that work is good for health and wellbeing, so we want everyone to get work and get on in work, whoever they are and wherever they live. Disabled people and people with health conditions are a diverse group so access to the right work and health support, in the right place, at the right time, is key. This Government is committed to giving disabled people and people with health conditions, including people living in Somerset, the confidence that working will not trigger a reassessment and a potential loss of benefits.

We have a range of specialist initiatives to support individuals to stay in work and get back into work. These include support from Work Coaches and Disability Employment Advisers in Jobcentres, Access to Work grants and Connect to Work, as well as initiatives joining up health and employment support around the individual through Employment Advisors in NHS Talking Therapies, and WorkWell.

Through the Health Transformation Programme, we are creating a more joined-up health and employment journey for customers. This includes exploring how people claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can be supported to access a range of services that improve wellbeing, independence and, where appropriate, support them to move closer to or remain in work.

As part of this, we are testing a voluntary support offer for some PIP-only customers. PIP Case Managers can refer eligible customers to a virtual hub (telephone only at present), where support is tailored to their circumstances and focused on addressing barriers to wellbeing and independence. This may include signposting to services such as the National Careers Service, and Citizens Advice, and relevant national and local support services, depending on their circumstances. The support offer is currently being tested in a limited number of areas while we learn what works best for customers.

In Jobcentres around 1,000 (full time equivalent) Pathways to Work Advisers, provide personalised one-to-one support to disabled customers and people with health conditions to help them identify and overcome obstacles which may stop them from moving towards or into work or to access employment and wider skills support, and our employment programmes.

The Timms Review, the first ever full review of PIP, seeks to ensure we have a system that supports disabled people to achieve better health, higher living standards and greater independence, including through employment.

The Review, which is considering how the assessment could ensure people access the right support at the right level, will publish its final recommendations in the autumn.

Businesses in the hair and beauty sector including barber shops, hairdressers and beauty salons are required to comply with the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and associated regulations, which place duties on businesses to assess and control the risk for employees and others affected by their work, including members of the public.

While the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are the policy lead for the hair and beauty sector, responsibility for enforcing health and safety legislation at individual businesses rests with the local authority in which the premises are located.

Local authorities are responsible for a range of statutory public health functions, including the management of communicable disease incidents and outbreaks that may originate in business settings. These functions sit outside HSE's regulatory remit.

Businesses operating in barbering and other personal service activities such as tattooing, piercing and electrolysis are required to comply with the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and associated regulations, which place duties on businesses to assess and control the risk for employees and others affected by their work, including members of the public.

While HSE is the policy lead for the hair and beauty sector, responsibility for enforcing health and safety legislation at individual businesses rests with the local authority in which the premises are located.

Where there is evidence that risks are not being properly managed, local authorities may intervene and take appropriate enforcement action to ensure employees and customers are protected.

Local authorities are responsible for a range of statutory public health functions, including the management of communicable disease incidents and outbreaks that may originate in business settings. These functions sit outside HSE's regulatory remit.

The High Fraud Risk Portfolio (HFRP) provides a common view over the areas of highest fraud risk in government.

The government does not intend to list each programme on the HFRP on the basis that the risks of publication outweigh the benefits. The government however has provided the HFRP to the Public Accounts Committee for independent scrutiny and oversight.

The Public Sector Fraud Authority (PSFA), in partnership with HM Treasury, will continue to work closely with departments that have programmes in the portfolio to enhance their management of fraud risk.

This Government is committed to ensuring that every young person has the opportunities they need to fulfil their potential and succeed in work.

The lower rate of the Universal Credit standard allowance for customers under 25 is designed to maintain the incentive for young people to enter, remain in and progress in work, complemented by the employment support we provide to help young people develop their skills and build successful careers. The lower rate also reflects that the majority of young people live in someone else’s household and are therefore likely to have lower living costs.

Where young people do live independently or have extra living costs, Universal Credit provides additional support for eligible customers, including help with the cost of housing, children, childcare, disability-related needs, and caring responsibilities.

The Government's latest analysis of future skills needs is set out in the Skills England annual skills report and Sectoral Skills Needs Assessments 2026, which provides an assessment of current and future skills demand and supply across ten priority sectors.

The report is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skills-england-annual-skills-report-and-sectoral-skills-needs-assessments-2026

Skills England has not undertaken a dedicated assessment of future skills requirements in the waste and resource management sector.

There are a number of apprenticeship standards available to support the hair and beauty sector, including the Level 2 Hairdressing Professional standard and the Level 2 Barbering Professional standard.

To support non-levy paying employers, typically SMEs, to meet the additional costs associated with employing young people as apprentices, we are introducing a new apprenticeship hiring payment of £2,000 when they take on 16–24-year-old apprentices as new employees. Employers hiring apprentices aged 18-24 who have been on Universal Credit for over six months will also be eligible for the new £3,000 Youth Jobs Grant.

We also provide £1,000 to both employers and training providers when they take on apprentices aged under 19, or 19-to-24-year-old apprentices who have an EHCP or have been, or are, in care.

These payments can be added together where the employer and/or apprentice are eligible.

Additionally, the government now fully funds apprenticeship training for all eligible under 25s at employers of all sizes, as we prioritise funding toward young people.

These measures are backed by £1 billion of additional funding for the Growth and Skills Levy to support our ambition for 50,000 more young people to start apprenticeships.

There are a number of apprenticeship standards available to support the hair and beauty sector, including the Level 2 Hairdressing Professional standard and the Level 2 Barbering Professional standard.

To support non-levy paying employers, typically SMEs, to meet the additional costs associated with employing young people as apprentices, we are introducing a new apprenticeship hiring payment of £2,000 when they take on 16–24-year-old apprentices as new employees. Employers hiring apprentices aged 18-24 who have been on Universal Credit for over six months will also be eligible for the new £3,000 Youth Jobs Grant.

We also provide £1,000 to both employers and training providers when they take on apprentices aged under 19, or 19-to-24-year-old apprentices who have an EHCP or have been, or are, in care.

These payments can be added together where the employer and/or apprentice are eligible.

Additionally, the government now fully funds apprenticeship training for all eligible under 25s at employers of all sizes, as we prioritise funding toward young people.

These measures are backed by £1 billion of additional funding for the Growth and Skills Levy to support our ambition for 50,000 more young people to start apprenticeships.

Bereaved parents may be eligible for Universal Credit, help with immediate costs through a Funeral Expenses Payment, and assistance through the Crisis and Resilience Fund.

For Universal Credit customers, the department maintains payments for the assessment period in which a child, partner or non-dependent dies, and for the following two assessment periods.

Where one parent has died, the surviving parent may be eligible for Bereavement Support Payment.

The government keeps bereavement support under review.

This Government is transforming the Apprenticeships Levy into a new Growth and Skills Levy in England, backed by £1 billion of additional investment, which will support 50,000 more young people into apprenticeships, give employers greater flexibility to develop the workforce they need, and support the industrial strategy.

The three-year residency requirement forms part of the eligibility criteria for government funded apprenticeships and is consistent with longstanding residency requirements used elsewhere in publicly funded education programmes. The apprenticeship funding rules provide that learners who are temporarily outside the UK for reasons such as employment should be considered ordinarily resident in the UK for the purposes of assessing eligibility for apprenticeship funding on their return. In addition, those aged 16 to 18 may be eligible for apprenticeship funding where they are accompanying a parent who has the right of abode. The Department keeps apprenticeship funding rules under review.

This Government is transforming the Apprenticeships Levy into a new Growth and Skills Levy in England, backed by £1 billion of additional investment, which will support 50,000 more young people into apprenticeships, give employers greater flexibility to develop the workforce they need, and support the industrial strategy.

The three-year residency requirement forms part of the eligibility criteria for government funded apprenticeships and is consistent with longstanding residency requirements used elsewhere in publicly funded education programmes. The apprenticeship funding rules provide that learners who are temporarily outside the UK for reasons such as employment should be considered ordinarily resident in the UK for the purposes of assessing eligibility for apprenticeship funding on their return. In addition, those aged 16 to 18 may be eligible for apprenticeship funding where they are accompanying a parent who has the right of abode. The Department keeps apprenticeship funding rules under review.

This Government is transforming the Apprenticeships Levy into a new Growth and Skills Levy in England, backed by £1 billion of additional investment, which will support 50,000 more young people into apprenticeships, give employers greater flexibility to develop the workforce they need, and support the industrial strategy.

The three-year residency requirement forms part of the eligibility criteria for government funded apprenticeships and is consistent with longstanding residency requirements used elsewhere in publicly funded education programmes. The apprenticeship funding rules provide that learners who are temporarily outside the UK for reasons such as employment should be considered ordinarily resident in the UK for the purposes of assessing eligibility for apprenticeship funding on their return. In addition, those aged 16 to 18 may be eligible for apprenticeship funding where they are accompanying a parent who has the right of abode. The Department keeps apprenticeship funding rules under review.

The information requested is published and available at: https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/default.asp The estimated unemployment levels and rates can be found by selecting “Query data” on the NOMIS home page and selecting “Annual Population Survey/Labour Force Survey” and then “annual population survey (Dec 2004 to Mar 2026)” in the lists of data sources. The Geography will need to be set for the county from the menus, and then, in the Variable menu, Category set to “Unemployment rate” from the drop-down list to access 16-24 year old unemployment.

Recent trends in the 18 to 24 claimant count can be found under the Lincolnshire local authority profile Labour Market Profile - Nomis - Official Census and Labour Market Statistics

Guidance for users can be found at: https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/home/newuser.asp