Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Recommendation 35
35
Paragraph: 148
Our inquiry has shone a light on the benefits of prisoners being able to take...
Conclusion
Our inquiry has shone a light on the benefits of prisoners being able to take apprenticeships. We are pleased that the Government has listened to the weight of evidence submitted to us on this issue, and will amend current Government policy. It is imperative that there is no delay in the introduction of this policy. The Ministry of Justice must confirm by the Summer that the necessary changes to legislation to allow prisoners to take up apprenticeships will be made later this year.
Paragraph Reference:
148
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
We reject this recommendation. The apprenticeships levy was created to support the uptake and delivery of high-quality apprenticeships including allowing levy-paying employers to use their funds to support apprenticeships for those in custody. Levy payers can already employ prisoners as apprentices upon their release and can use their levy funds to support these apprenticeships. Later this year we plan to change the law to enable serving prisoners to start apprenticeships and will continue to explore what more can be done to incentivise and reduce barriers to employers taking on prisoner and prison leavers.