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Written Question
NHS: Apprentices
Friday 13th February 2026

Asked by: Blake Stephenson (Conservative - Mid Bedfordshire)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the answer of 19 November 2025 to written question 89790, how much the annual cap is.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Funding for the eligible apprenticeships has been capped in line with 2023/24 start numbers, which is equivalent to £8.4 million per financial year for new apprenticeship starts. Funding will be allocated according to workforce need, training provider capacity and the priorities set out in the 10-Year Health Plan to ensure the National Health Service has the right people in the right places, with the right skills to deliver the best care for patients, when they need it.

Division Vote (Commons)
11 Feb 2026 - Climate Change - View Vote Context
Blake Stephenson (Con) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 92 Conservative No votes vs 0 Conservative Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 362 Noes - 107
Division Vote (Commons)
11 Feb 2026 - Local Government Finance - View Vote Context
Blake Stephenson (Con) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 85 Conservative No votes vs 0 Conservative Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 279 Noes - 90
Division Vote (Commons)
11 Feb 2026 - Local Government Finance - View Vote Context
Blake Stephenson (Con) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 85 Conservative No votes vs 0 Conservative Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 277 Noes - 143
Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 11 Feb 2026
Oral Answers to Questions

"6. What assessment he has made of the potential impact of Government policies on the economy in Northern Ireland. ..."
Blake Stephenson - View Speech

View all Blake Stephenson (Con - Mid Bedfordshire) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions
Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 11 Feb 2026
Oral Answers to Questions

"While the rise in the agricultural property relief threshold to £2.5 million is a welcome step for farmers, does the Minister recognise the broader economic concern shared by the Ulster Farmers Union that inflation and steadily rising asset values will over time pull more family farms into inheritance tax liability, …..."
Blake Stephenson - View Speech

View all Blake Stephenson (Con - Mid Bedfordshire) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions
Speech in Westminster Hall - Wed 11 Feb 2026
Woodland Creation

"It a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Lewell. It is also a pleasure to follow my constituency neighbour, the hon. Member for Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard (Alex Mayer).

I congratulate another constituency neighbour, the hon. Member for Milton Keynes North (Chris Curtis), on securing this important debate on …..."
Blake Stephenson - View Speech

View all Blake Stephenson (Con - Mid Bedfordshire) contributions to the debate on: Woodland Creation
Speech in Westminster Hall - Wed 11 Feb 2026
Woodland Creation

"The hon. Member for Thurrock (Jen Craft) mentioned the potential introduction of the lynx as an apex predator, but active deer management is already under way in my constituency through culling. Do the Government have a preference on culling versus introducing an apex predator, or a combination of the two? …..."
Blake Stephenson - View Speech

View all Blake Stephenson (Con - Mid Bedfordshire) contributions to the debate on: Woodland Creation
Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 11 Feb 2026
Local Government Finance

"I declare an interest: I am a Central Bedfordshire councillor. Central Bedfordshire will have to find £17 million off the back of this so-called fairer funding formula. Does my hon. Friend agree that that is nothing short of pork barrel politics?..."
Blake Stephenson - View Speech

View all Blake Stephenson (Con - Mid Bedfordshire) contributions to the debate on: Local Government Finance
Speech in Westminster Hall - Tue 10 Feb 2026
Independent Water Commission: Final Report

"It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Jeremy, on my first outing on behalf of His Majesty’s official Opposition. I congratulate the hon. Member for West Dorset (Edward Morello) on securing this important debate, and I join Members who have welcomed the work of Sir Jon Cunliffe. …..."
Blake Stephenson - View Speech

View all Blake Stephenson (Con - Mid Bedfordshire) contributions to the debate on: Independent Water Commission: Final Report