Recent discussions and statistics have highlighted a significant divide in opinions regarding the state of apprenticeships and employment in the UK. On one hand, MPs from the Labour Party have criticized the government's handling of apprenticeships, noting a substantial decline in apprenticeship starts, especially at lower levels and among those from poorer backgrounds, with SME apprenticeships down by a half. Specifically, Level 2 apprenticeship starts have reportedly dropped by two-thirds in the decade to 2023, with over 50% reductions in Level 2 and 3 starts since 2017. On the other hand, Conservative MPs and government officials have defended their policies, pointing to achievements in the apprenticeship system and overall employment growth. They cite an increase in apprenticeships across nearly 70% of occupations, a rise in apprenticeship standards, a 22% improvement in achievements, and caution against Labour's policy to weaken the apprenticeship levy. Additionally, recent figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) indicate an increase in employment by over 4.1 million since 2010, including 437,000 fewer unemployed young people, a record number of jobs in the economy, seven months of real wage growth, and economic inactivity falling to levels lower than the USA, France, and Italy. However, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has countered these claims, arguing that the average worker has missed out on £14,600 in wages since 2008, and highlighting ongoing issues such as a 20-month consecutive fall in vacancies and 2.7 million people out of work due to long-term sickness.
🚨 New figures show there are over 4.1 million more people in work since 2010, including 437,000 fewer unemployed young people. We are sticking to our plan which is delivering the jobs hardworking families need. Labour have no plan and would just take us back to square one. https://t.co/8pX2jZ62WH
Working people are still paying the price for the governments failures: ❌ The average worker has missed out on a whopping £14,600 in wages since 2008. ❌ Vacancies have fallen for 20 consecutive months. ❌ 2.7 MILLION people out of work due to long term sickness. We need a…
Real wages rising again. Record numbers in payroll employment. And economic inactivity falling - lower than the USA, France and Italy. Our plan is working. https://t.co/VTqMa1XBqH
Todays @ONS stats show: Vacancies falling ✅ Payroll employees 🆙✅ Employment 🆙 by over 4 million since 2010 👍 …. ➡️ A Record number of jobs in the economy 👍 📈 7 months of real wage growth👏👏 #onwards https://t.co/1I4P26Risr
Today’s @ONS figures show that our plan is working, as we get more people into jobs and reward hard work. ⬆️ Employment up 4.1 million since 2010 🏆 Record number of jobs in the economy 📈 7 months of real wage growth ⬇️ Economic inactivity falling
Since 2017, Level 2 and 3 apprenticeship starts have plummeted by over 50%, and starts by those from poorer backgrounds have dropped significantly. It's now painfully clear that the biggest barrier to opportunity is this Tory Government. My question to the Government today 👇 https://t.co/u0I70r6k0x
📺WATCH📺 Just listen to the state of this. I asked the Government why apprenticeship starts at lower levels had crashed since the introduction of the apprenticeship levy with SME apprenticeships down by a half and the Minister's answer completely ignores the question. https://t.co/wcxhFrg4MJ
👷 Level 2 apprenticeship starts are down 2/3s in the decade to 2023, and young people are missing out on the vital opportunities advanced apprenticeships offer. 🗣️ Nothing but bluff and bluster from the minister in response. https://t.co/vgukSK3a4A
This @Conservatives govt has transformed our apprenticeship system 👇 ✅ Apprenticeships across nearly 70% of occupations ✅ 680+ apprenticeship standards ✅ Achievements up by 22% Labour's policy to weaken the apprenticeship levy would half the number of apprenticeships. https://t.co/pUVyyhOC20