Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress has been made on subsidising transport for apprentices; and if he will make a statement.

The Government is clear that it does not want the costs of travel to deter young people from undertaking an apprenticeship. The Department for Transport has started to explore options for bus travel concessions for apprentices, and is looking to gather more evidence on the practicability of a number of options. The Department will set out more information on this work in the New Year.

The rail industry has begun a trial of a railcard for people aged 26-30 in the Greater Anglia area. The industry has also announced that a railcard for 16-18 year olds will be trialled from spring 2018. The Department is taking a close interest in the trial and looks forward to learning more about the industry’s plans.