Question
In Swindon, Honda trained up about 170 apprentices over the years, giving young people real access to good, high-skilled, well-paid jobs. When Honda left, so did those opportunities. Will the Minister outline what discussions he has had with his counterparts in the DWP to ensure that Swindon gets better access to apprenticeships for young people in the future?
Answer
I thank my hon. Friend for his question; it is absolutely the right question. We all know that there are so many young people in our communities who would benefit from the clear transition from education into the world of work that an apprenticeship provides. We are supporting employers to provide that bridge, with a new £2,000 grant for small and medium-sized enterprises recruiting apprentices aged 16 to 24. That is in addition to the fully funded training costs for eligible young apprentices at all businesses.20% vibes
Verdict: RED (18/100)
The question asked about engagement between the department and the DWP concerning Swindon. The reply instead described general government apprenticeship support for young people, such as a £2,000 grant for employers recruiting 16–24 year olds and fully funded training. It did not mention the DWP, Swindon, or any inter-departmental engagement, so the specific point asked about was not answered, and the policy material given is only loosely related.
How we got there
| Question item | Coverage | Specificity | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| What is the nature of the Minister's department's engagement with the DWP on improving young people's access to apprenticeships in Swindon. | Partially Addressed | Hedged | The reply describes the government's apprenticeship support for young people (a £2,000 SME grant for 16–24 recruits and fully funded training), which is relevant policy context. It never mentions the DWP, Swindon, or any engagement between the department and the DWP, so the specific nature of the inter-departmental engagement asked about goes unanswered. |