Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with the Department for Work and Pensions about the adequacy of levels of support available to clean energy SMEs, to ensure they are able to take on apprentices.

This Government is transforming the apprenticeships levy into a new growth and skills levy, backed by £725 million additional investment, which will deliver greater flexibility to employers and learners in England and support the industrial strategy.

To support SMEs in all sectors to take on apprentices, the government will fully fund apprenticeship training for non-levy paying employers (essentially SMEs) for all eligible people aged under 25 from the next academic year. This change will make it easier for those employers to engage with apprenticeships by cutting costs and reducing bureaucracy for both them and their training providers.

As set out in the Clean Energy Jobs Plan, DESNZ works closely with the Department for Work and Pensions and Skills England to ensure the skills system, including apprenticeships, delivers the workforce needed for our clean energy mission.