As part of an array of announcements on getting young people into work (including the additional £1 billion of Youth Guarantee funding), the government announced changes to its approach to apprenticeships:

• New funding for SMEs – guaranteeing them £2,000 for each apprentice under the age of 24 that they take on.
• Introduction of apprenticeship units – with seven new flexible training courses announced today, all designed to meet emerging skills needs.
• Two new foundation apprenticeships – in hospitality and retail, to meet areas of high demand.
• A new Level 2 admin apprenticeship – exclusively for young people aged 16-24.
• Defunding of 16 apprenticeships, with the aim of diverting funding towards routes aimed at young people.