Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an estimate of the number of businesses in (a) Scotland and (b) the UK that will be required to pay the new apprenticeship levy.

The Barnett formula will apply to spending on apprenticeships in England in the usual way. Skills policy is a devolved area so the DAs will have complete flexibility over how to support businesses. Further details will be set at the Spending Review following a formal engagement with business.