Mr. Andrew Brownlee:

I think one of the most positive developments from the new apprenticeship action plan has been the launch of a core employer grant. This has meant that the employers of the newer apprenticeship programmes are given equivalent levels of financial support to the ones who would have taken on craft apprentices. Any disincentive, perceived or otherwise, on the part of employers that would discourage them from taking on apprentices would be a bad idea.

They already contribute through the national training fund, NTF, levy which then funds our apprenticeship provision and some higher and further education provision. To ask them to go a step further than that would be a mistake.