I sit on the Public Accounts Committee, and our latest report has highlighted the government’s failing approach to apprenticeships.

Access to apprenticeships is getting worse, while take-up rates have been falling – in our area alone, the number of apprenticeship starts has dropped by almost 500 in the space of a year.

Apprenticeships provide life-changing opportunities to young people, and help businesses prepare for future skills challenges. I’ll keep pressing ministers to ensure there are more available in our area.

You can read more on the Chronicle Live’s website here: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/concern-number-apprenticeships-plummets-north-16314064

To find out more about the PAC’s inquiry into apprenticeships, follow the link here: https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/public-accounts-committee/inquiries/parliament-2017/inquiry9/