This Library Note provides statistical information on apprenticeships, based on the most recent figures published by the Skills Funding Agency (SFA). It then focusses on four key areas of recent government policy development in relation to apprenticeships: the announcement of a government target of three million new apprenticeships by the end of March 2020; the development of new apprenticeship standards
Availability and Quality of Apprenticeships, and the Spread of Apprenticeships across the Labour Market (523 KB , PDF)
The Government has made clear its commitment to increasing the quality and number of apprenticeships over this Parliament; in principle, its commitment has been welcomed by politicians and stakeholders alike. However, concern has been expressed by some regarding a potential risk of too much emphasis being placed on targets.
On 27 May 2015, the Prime Minister, David Cameron, commented that, “the first priority of the Queen’s Speech is to help working people, and we are clear about what that means—more jobs, more apprenticeships […]. The last Parliament saw more than 2.2 million new apprenticeships start, and the Queen’s Speech will help to create 3 million more”. With a pledge to create three million new apprenticeships by the end of March 2020, numerous questions have been raised of the Government which include:
Availability and Quality of Apprenticeships, and the Spread of Apprenticeships across the Labour Market (523 KB , PDF)
The Budget Responsibility Bill would require ministers to request an assessment from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) for every major fiscal announcement and give the OBR the power to decide to publish one if the minister failed to request it. This follows the September 2022 ‘mini-budget’. The statement included plans that would have resulted in a projected £45bn reduction in tax income. It did not have an accompanying OBR assessment.
In November 2023, the Harrington review of foreign direct investment made recommendations about how the UK could attract more cross-border investment. The new Labour government has said tackling barriers to investment is a priority.
Lithium-ion batteries are the most popular type of rechargeable battery and are used in a wide range of electrical devices worldwide. The Lithium-ion Battery Safety Bill [HL] would provide for regulations concerning the safe storage, use and disposal of such batteries in the UK. The bill is a private member’s bill sponsored by Lord Redesdale (Liberal Democrat). The House of Lords is scheduled to debate the bill at second reading on 6 September 2024.
![Lithium-ion Battery Safety Bill [HL]: HL Bill 8 of 2024–25](https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/content/uploads/sites/2/2020/09/Energy-568x426.png)