CBI Comment on the Apprenticeship Levy

“The UK needs a world-class apprenticeship system which delivers the higher level skills that business and the workforce need.

“We must not sacrifice quality for quantity.  While we did not support the introduction of a levy, the key thing now is that the apprenticeships it delivers meet business demand and give young people routes to great careers and higher pay. The best way to drive up quality is to give employers real control and ensure that levy cash is committed to only funding apprenticeships in levy-paying businesses.

“The consultation is welcome – but there is much to do to build a system that works, including deciding the rate of the levy and building a levy structure that avoids the mistakes of the past.”