Today our blog addresses a new report on the apprenticeship levy as well as announcing the successful local authorities in our Supporting Families programme.
Apprenticeship Levy
Today, Friday 9 August, the Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) published a report which says there is a lack of government apprenticeship levy funding available for smaller employers to use for delivering training to apprentices. This was covered by the Financial Times, TES and FE Week.
A Department for Education spokesperson said:
Apprenticeships funding in England has risen to over £2.5 billion in 2019-2020, double what was spent in 2010-2011 in cash terms. This investment has helped drive up the quality of apprenticeships on offer so they are now longer, with more off-the-job training and have a proper assessment at the end.
So smaller employers can manage their own apprenticeships more effectively we are bringing them onto the Apprenticeship Service. Large businesses can now also transfer up to 25% of their levy funds to smaller employers so they can invest in the long-term skills needs of their business.
We will continue to work with employers so they can take advantage of the benefits apprentices can bring to their business and we are also looking carefully at the future priorities for the apprenticeship programme.
Supporting Families
Today, Friday 9 August, we are announcing the successful local authorities for the Supporting Families; Investing in Practice programme. This has been covered so far by the Yorkshire Post.
This follows the launch of the programme on 22 May and includes an investment of up to £15 million to support councils in adopting and adapting programmes that have shown positive evidence of keeping vulnerable families safely together.
Children and Families Minister Kemi Badenoch said:
Across the country there are children entering care because their parents struggle with problems of their own such as drug and alcohol addiction or domestic violence. We know that Family Drug and Alcohol Courts and Family Group Conferencing works in keeping families safely together, where this is in the child’s best interests. This further investment marks an important step forward in making sure we are providing the right support for those who need it most.
Our first duty must be to protect and support vulnerable children and by spreading these programmes around the country, we will provide expert support to tackle issues early and deliver for the most vulnerable.
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