Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans her Department has to incentivise local businesses and public bodies to offer targeted apprenticeships and skills training for young people at risk of dropping out of formal education.

This government is committed to expanding high-quality pathways into work and training for young people, particularly those at risk of disengagement from education.

Our wider vocational reforms will strengthen technical education and skills pathways, giving young people clearer routes into high-quality training and employment that meet local and national skills needs.

To expand apprenticeship opportunities for young people, the government is now fully funding apprenticeships for eligible young people under 25 and introducing a £2000 hiring payment for non-levy paying employers, typically small and medium-sized enterprises, that recruit apprentices under 25 from October. We have also introduced foundation apprenticeships to provide entry level opportunities in sectors, such as construction, hospitality and retail.

Alongside this, our Youth Guarantee will ensure that every young person can access education, training, an apprenticeship, or support to find work. We are also working with employers, colleges, local authorities and strategic authorities to improve access to careers advice, work experience and local apprenticeship opportunities for young people.