Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to provide funding to improve accessibility of pilot training.

The aviation industry is a private industry and, therefore it is for employers in this sector to ensure they offer the right training, recruitment and retention support for the skilled workforce that they need.

A training organisation has been approved to deliver a first officer apprenticeship, which would provide training completely cost-free to young people.

My officials are working with the Department for Work and Pensions, and airlines to encourage them to deliver this apprenticeship.

In addition, British Airways, Jet2.com, and TUI have periodically offered partly or fully funded training programmes.