Oral Question·Department for Education
“What steps she is taking to promote apprenticeships as an alternative to university education.”
Tabled: 14 April 2026Answered: 20 April 2026
Asked by
Dr Caroline Johnson
Conservative — Sleaford and North Hykeham
Answering Minister
the Secretary of State for Education
Answer from Hansard
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Josh MacAlister)
Following a 40% drop in apprenticeship starts over the previous decade, we are now seeing them rise for those under 25, and achievement rates are also up. We want an extra 50,000 young people to benefit from apprenticeships. That is why we are introducing new grants for small and medium-sized businesses to take on apprentices, and why we have introduced new foundation apprenticeships.