Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to fund and promote the training of apprentices in (1) thatching, (2) stonemasonry, (3) lead work and (4) use of lime mortars, as well as to grow and improve other skills in the heritage sector.

High-quality apprenticeships, including the level 2 Stonemason apprenticeship standard, are available to support employers and learners in the heritage sector to develop the skills they need.

To support more high-quality apprenticeship opportunities, the department pays full training costs for young apprentices aged 16 to 21 at small employers and it pays £1,000 to employers when they take on apprentices aged 16 to 18, or aged 19 to 24 who are care leavers or have an education, health and care plan.

The department also continue to promote apprenticeships through its ‘Skills for Life’ campaign.