Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps his Department is taking to increase the number of apprenticeships.

We have already delivered over 2.1 million apprenticeships during this parliament.

Employers are designing apprenticeships to meet their skills needs, making it more attractive and easier for them to offer more opportunities in the future.

The Apprenticeship Grant for Employers is helping smaller businesses take on new young apprentices. From April 2016 employers will not be required to pay employer National Insurance contributions for apprentices under 25 on earnings up to the upper earnings limit.