Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the contribution of degree apprenticeships to the delivery of skills needs (a) locally, (b) in the East Midlands and (c) nationally.

The latest figures for the 2023/24 academic year show there have been 44,060 apprenticeship starts at degree level, including 3,540 in the East Midlands.

Degree apprenticeships can provide school leavers and older learners alternative routes into degree level professions, which supports diversity and inclusion.

The department will work with Skills England to ensure that degree apprenticeships continue to offer good value for money and drive economic growth.