Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many apprentices her Department recruited in (a) 2025, (b) 2022, (c) 2023 and (d) 2024.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The number of apprentices has fallen for a number of reasons:

1. The Government has made several reforms to apprenticeships including the closing of the Civil Service Apprenticeship Unit and setting up Skills England, which has a renewed focus on skills gaps across the country.
2. In May 2025 the Government also announced Level 7 apprenticeships will continue to be Government-funded for young people aged 16-21, and under 25 for care leavers and those with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) at the start of their apprenticeship in England.
3. External recruitment campaigns have reduced significantly in 2025 as the department works to reduce staff numbers to meet Spending Review commitments. HM Treasury maintains dedication to apprenticeship as a key route into the department.

HM Treasury remains committed to apprenticeships as one pathway to break down barriers to opportunity. External recruitment campaigns for AO & EO grades are considered for a level 3 apprenticeship where appropriate.

As a result, the department has recruited the following number of apprentices:

2022 - 12

2023 - 4

2024 - 4

2025 – 0

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many apprentices her Department recruited in (a) 2025, (b) 2022, (c) 2023 and (d) 2024.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) recruited the following number of apprentices in the specified years:

*Note that figures for 2025 are as of 17/03/2026 and are not yet final.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many apprentices his Department recruited in (a) 2025, (b) 2022, (c) 2023 and (d) 2024.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

On 1st July 2023 due to a Machinery of Government Change, the Department of International Trade (DIT) became the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), alongside parts of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). We therefore only hold information from DBT from 1st July 2023.

Information included for 2022 only captures former DIT apprenticeship starts. Information for 2023 includes starts from January to June for former DIT. Data provided is sourced from internal-to-DBT management information trackers.

Response relates to apprentices recruited/onboarded onto Apprenticeship Programmes. Years here are taken to mean calendar years, not financial years.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many apprentices his Department recruited in (a) 2025, (b) 2022, (c) 2023 and (d) 2024.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

(a) 9 apprentices were recruited in 2025

(d) 13 apprentices were recruited in 2024

Due to the machinery of Government changes which created the Department in February 2023 DESNZ is unable to provide an answer to questions (b) & (c).

Found: Susan Murray (Liberal Democrat, Mid Dunbartonshire) (added 28 Oct 2024) 38 of 48 (79.2%) Jack Rankin