We are committed to supporting employers to engage with apprenticeships to help invest in the long-term skills needs of their business. We have already seen employers making use of transfers to support apprenticeship starts in their supply chains, or to meet local skills needs. Since April 2018 there have been 1,020 transferred commitments where the transfer of funds between apprenticeship service accounts had been approved. Of these transferred commitments, 780 have so far resulted in apprenticeship starts.<\/p>
We have taken a number of steps to make it easier for levy-paying employers to transfer funds to other employers. In response to employer feedback, in April 2019 we raised the cap on transfers to 25% of the annual value of funds entering levy-payers\u2019 apprenticeship service accounts. We have also announced that we will shortly enable levy payers to transfer funds to cover the full cost of training for 16 to 18 year olds in the smallest businesses with fewer than 50 employers.<\/p>
Transfers give levy-paying employers more options in how they use their levy funds, as well as creating apprenticeship opportunities for organisations who may have previously felt that employing an apprentice was beyond their reach. We are pleased to see that levy payers with uncommitted funds are increasingly using transfers to support apprenticeship starts in non-levy paying employers.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4530", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Michelle Donelan"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Chippenham"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Michelle Donelan"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-11-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-11-04T17:08:24.637Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-10-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Apprentices: Taxation"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the ability of apprenticeship levy paying employers to transfer levy funds to non-levy paying employers.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/465", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Gordon Marsden"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Blackpool South"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Gordon Marsden"} ], "uin" : "7647"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1167010", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1167010/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The government has reformed apprenticeships to include new high-quality apprenticeship standards that meet the needs of employers across all industries.<\/p>
There are 118 Engineering and Manufacturing standards available for employers in the shipbuilding industry to choose from, and a total of 507 standards available across a wide range of sectors from Business and Administration, to Health and Science.<\/p>
The Engineering Technician standard at Level 3 has been developed by employers, including employers in the defence industry such as BAE Systems, Babcock and the Royal Navy. This standard includes the following maritime defence pathways: Maritime Electrical Fitter, Maritime Mechanical Fitter, Maritime Fabricator, and Maritime Pipeworker. More detail on the standard can be found on the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education\u2019s website at: https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/engineering-technician/<\/a>.<\/p> Employers in all sectors across England, including the shipping and offshore energy sectors, can use their apprenticeship levy funds to invest in these new high-quality apprenticeship standards, unlocking the productivity benefits associated with employing apprentices.<\/p> In the 2019-20 financial year, the funding available for investment in apprenticeships in England is over £2.5 billion, which is double what we spent in 2010-11.<\/p> We are working with all sectors as they produce their skills deals and we encourage them to consider the opportunities and apprenticeships they offer, by building them into their plans.<\/p> <\/p> The National Apprenticeship Service is supporting employers to develop their apprenticeship programmes. More information on apprenticeships is available at: https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/<\/a>.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4530", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Michelle Donelan"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Chippenham"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Michelle Donelan"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-11-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-11-04T17:04:16.523Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-10-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Apprentices: Offshore Industry and Shipping"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to encourage employers in the (a) shipping and (b) offshore energy sectors to offer apprenticeships.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/465", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Gordon Marsden"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Blackpool South"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Gordon Marsden"}
], "uin" : "7069"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1167187", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1167187/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Assessors from any organisation undertaking end-point assessment must be on the Education and Skills Funding Agency\u2019s register of end-point assessment organisations (EPAOs). If an organisation can demonstrate their capability and capacity to deliver, and are not involved in the on-programme delivery of the standard either as a training provider or employer, they are eligible to apply to be an EPAO.<\/p> All end-point assessments are subject to external quality assurance by an independent external body to ensure the consistency of high-quality assessments and maintained standards. Regulators such as Ofqual, provide external quality assurance.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4530", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Michelle Donelan"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Chippenham"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Michelle Donelan"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-11-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-11-04T17:17:59.1Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-10-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Apprentices: Standards"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether Government regulators are able to undertake end-point assessments of trained apprentices using Trailblazer Apprenticeships standards.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/465", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Gordon Marsden"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Blackpool South"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Gordon Marsden"}
], "uin" : "7070"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1167188", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1167188/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " This is a matter for the Institute for Apprenticeships. I have asked its Chief Executive, Sir Gerry Berragan, to write to the hon. Member and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4530", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Michelle Donelan"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Chippenham"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Michelle Donelan"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-11-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-11-04T17:23:19.713Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-10-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Apprentices: Shipping"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the amount of sea time required by employee to qualify as an Able Seafarer (Deck) apprentice.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/465", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Gordon Marsden"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Blackpool South"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Gordon Marsden"}
], "uin" : "7071"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1167212", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1167212/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " I am aware that customers who are unable to access cheaper mortgage deals are in a difficult and stressful situation. Taking action to remove unnecessary regulatory barriers that have prevented some customers from switching has been a priority for me and so I welcome the changes the FCA have made to their mortgage lending rules.<\/p> <\/p> This change in the FCA\u2019s rules should allow customers to switch to a new lender as long as they meet the lender\u2019s risk appetite. This is determined by the lender and will take into account the circumstances of individual customers, which may include being up to date with their payments; not having significant other debt; and not being in negative equity.<\/p> <\/p> Due to the uncertainty of lender\u2019s risk appetites or the number of consumers who will choose to use the new switching opportunities, it is impossible to know precisely how many mortgage prisoners will be helped by the rule change until lenders are able to report progress to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).<\/p> <\/p> Part of the FCA\u2019s action to support mortgage prisoners is ensuring that borrowers, whose mortgage is currently held by an unregulated entity, are proactively contacted about this rule change. Inactive lenders and administrators acting for unregulated entities are now required to implement a communication strategy for relevant customers to inform them of the rule change within the next 10 months.<\/p> <\/p> The FCA ran a consultation on the rule changes and thoroughly considered representations from various interested parties before implementing the changes in October. Most recently, I have met with Andrew Bailey, Chief Executive of the FCA, where we agreed to continue to collaborate and engage to support mortgage prisoners moving forward. In addition, I have met specifically with MPs for the All-Party Parliamentary Group on mortgage prisoners and numerous other MPs who, representing their constituents, have wished to discuss mortgage policy.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4051", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for John Glen"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Salisbury"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "John Glen"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-11-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "7073"}
, {"_value" : "7074"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-11-04T14:00:56.09Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-10-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Mortgages"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the number of existing mortgage prisoners that could benefit from the rule changes announced by the FCA on 28 October 2019.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/465", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Gordon Marsden"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Blackpool South"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Gordon Marsden"}
], "uin" : "7072"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1167213", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1167213/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " I am aware that customers who are unable to access cheaper mortgage deals are in a difficult and stressful situation. Taking action to remove unnecessary regulatory barriers that have prevented some customers from switching has been a priority for me and so I welcome the changes the FCA have made to their mortgage lending rules.<\/p> <\/p> This change in the FCA\u2019s rules should allow customers to switch to a new lender as long as they meet the lender\u2019s risk appetite. This is determined by the lender and will take into account the circumstances of individual customers, which may include being up to date with their payments; not having significant other debt; and not being in negative equity.<\/p> <\/p> Due to the uncertainty of lender\u2019s risk appetites or the number of consumers who will choose to use the new switching opportunities, it is impossible to know precisely how many mortgage prisoners will be helped by the rule change until lenders are able to report progress to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).<\/p> <\/p> Part of the FCA\u2019s action to support mortgage prisoners is ensuring that borrowers, whose mortgage is currently held by an unregulated entity, are proactively contacted about this rule change. Inactive lenders and administrators acting for unregulated entities are now required to implement a communication strategy for relevant customers to inform them of the rule change within the next 10 months.<\/p> <\/p> The FCA ran a consultation on the rule changes and thoroughly considered representations from various interested parties before implementing the changes in October. Most recently, I have met with Andrew Bailey, Chief Executive of the FCA, where we agreed to continue to collaborate and engage to support mortgage prisoners moving forward. In addition, I have met specifically with MPs for the All-Party Parliamentary Group on mortgage prisoners and numerous other MPs who, representing their constituents, have wished to discuss mortgage policy.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4051", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for John Glen"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Salisbury"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "John Glen"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-11-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "7072"}
, {"_value" : "7074"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-11-04T14:00:56.137Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-10-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Mortgages"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he will take to ensure that his officials contact existing vulture funds operating in the UK to ensure compliance with the new FCA regulations on mortgage prisoners.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/465", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Gordon Marsden"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Blackpool South"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Gordon Marsden"}
], "uin" : "7073"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1167214", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1167214/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " I am aware that customers who are unable to access cheaper mortgage deals are in a difficult and stressful situation. Taking action to remove unnecessary regulatory barriers that have prevented some customers from switching has been a priority for me and so I welcome the changes the FCA have made to their mortgage lending rules.<\/p> <\/p> This change in the FCA\u2019s rules should allow customers to switch to a new lender as long as they meet the lender\u2019s risk appetite. This is determined by the lender and will take into account the circumstances of individual customers, which may include being up to date with their payments; not having significant other debt; and not being in negative equity.<\/p> <\/p> Due to the uncertainty of lender\u2019s risk appetites or the number of consumers who will choose to use the new switching opportunities, it is impossible to know precisely how many mortgage prisoners will be helped by the rule change until lenders are able to report progress to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).<\/p> <\/p> Part of the FCA\u2019s action to support mortgage prisoners is ensuring that borrowers, whose mortgage is currently held by an unregulated entity, are proactively contacted about this rule change. Inactive lenders and administrators acting for unregulated entities are now required to implement a communication strategy for relevant customers to inform them of the rule change within the next 10 months.<\/p> <\/p> The FCA ran a consultation on the rule changes and thoroughly considered representations from various interested parties before implementing the changes in October. Most recently, I have met with Andrew Bailey, Chief Executive of the FCA, where we agreed to continue to collaborate and engage to support mortgage prisoners moving forward. In addition, I have met specifically with MPs for the All-Party Parliamentary Group on mortgage prisoners and numerous other MPs who, representing their constituents, have wished to discuss mortgage policy.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4051", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for John Glen"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Salisbury"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "John Glen"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-11-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "7072"}
, {"_value" : "7073"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-11-04T14:00:56.183Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-10-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Mortgages"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with representatives of groups acting on behalf of mortgage prisoners on the effect of the announcement made by the FCA on 28 October 2019.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/465", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Gordon Marsden"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Blackpool South"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Gordon Marsden"}
], "uin" : "7074"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1166827", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1166827/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Data on apprenticeship starts, completions, training providers and age of apprentices is not available for the maritime industry sector specifically.<\/p> Due to the methodology behind these experimental statistics, data has not been published below the broad industry sector level.<\/p> The most recent statistics on apprenticeships starts by broad industry sector cover the academic years 2012/13 to 2016/17 and are published at the following link:<\/p>