Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the manual Flexible Apprenticeships in the Life Sciences Sector, published on 25 May, how much her Department spent on (a) Departmental staff hours, (b) capital expenditure, (c) outsourcing of related activities and (d) other costs for the creation of the manual.

The Life Sciences Flexible Apprenticeship Manual was co-developed with the Department for Education and the Life Sciences sector. It sets out how existing flexibilities in apprenticeships can be used and delivered in Life Sciences to meet the needs of employers and apprentices. This manual involved no capital, outsourcing, or other costs beyond officials working with industry partners. This is part of the government’s work to deliver the Life Sciences Vision which commits to increase the uptake of apprentices and use of the apprenticeship levy by the sector.