Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the apprenticeship budget was for 2025/26; what proportion of that budget was spent in total; and what proportion was spent on (1) training for apprenticeships with levy-paying employers, (2) training for apprenticeships with non-levy-paying employers, and (3) other activities.

The Department for Work and Pensions, and prior to that the Department for Education, has responsibility for apprenticeships in England only. The annual English apprenticeships budget is agreed at key fiscal events and ring-fenced. This budget is distinct from the total levy receipts collected by HM Treasury and the funds in employers’ apprenticeship service accounts.

The English apprenticeship budget funds: the spend drawn down by all levy-paying employers as well as apprenticeships for those who do not pay the levy; the costs of English and maths tuition for apprentices; and additional payments to employers, training providers and apprentices. It also covers the administrative costs of running the apprenticeships programme including the digital Apprenticeships Service.

The English apprenticeship budget for the 2025-26 financial year was £3.114 billion. However, spend data for that year cannot be provided, as the Department for Education’s accounts are still subject to audit and have not yet been published.