Mr Toby Perkins

Mr Toby Perkins

Labour — Chesterfield

Speaking in the House of Commons on 25 February 2025

Debate

Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Bill [Lords]

Contribution

On the subject of construction, does my right hon. Friend agree that a huge amount of the construction industry is made up of small employers and that one of the biggest failings of the apprenticeship levy approach has been that small and medium-sized enterprises have been shut out? We have had a 50% reduction in the number of SMEs offering apprenticeships since the introduction of the levy. How will she increase the number of SMEs that are able to offer apprenticeships? If the major employers are the ones that have all the budget, how do we ensure that we increase the number of SME apprenticeships?

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