Budget 2025, Politics

Apprentice minimum wage to rise to £8

Budget 2025, Politics

Apprentice minimum wage to rise to £8



Latest Opinion

Budget

A budget that backs FE, delivered by a government that can’t stop undermining itself

Today’s budget offers long-overdue wins for skills and apprenticeships, but the constant leaks, U-turns and mixed messages are throttling…

Jessica Hill
Erika Marshall
Skills reform

Our jobs market is changing faster than anyone expected – our skills system isn’t

Our analysis shows millions of roles could vanish far earlier than predicted. Unless the UK builds a cradle-to-grave skills…

Jessica Hill
Jude Hillary
Apprenticeships

Let’s stop treating school apprenticeships as second-class training routes

Apprenticeships have been overlooked in the education world, yet they’re quietly transforming how we recruit, train and retain talent

Jessica Hill
Monique Macauley
The Staffroom – opinion

If learners don’t feel they belong, they won’t engage

Working in safeguarding means seeing both the barriers and the brilliance in young people. Our project is proving how…

Jessica Hill
Carla Campbell
Skills funding

Our economy won’t grow with almost 1m young people left behind

Britain cannot rebuild its economy while a million young people are locked out of opportunity. This Budget must back…

Jessica Hill
Sarah Smith MP
Colleges

Training across borders works but we risk missing the boat

Transnational education could be a powerful tool for exporting UK expertise and expanding access to quality training, but our…

Jessica Hill
Dr. Rossi Vogler
Skills reform

The skills system is broken because we keep fixing it in pieces

Employers aren’t walking away from training – they’re being driven off by complexity, cost and constant reform

Jessica Hill
Lindsay Conroy
Colleges

White paper’s details pose a devilish problem for FE admin

Just as Wells’ Martians were undone by what they overlooked, the post-16 white paper could be derailed by the…

Jessica Hill
Ian Pryce

From our partners

Sponsored post

Confidence, curiosity, and connection: How colleges are building learners for life

Acting as the bridge between school and adulthood for many young people, colleges play a powerful role in shaping…

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Pearson
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A Decade of Impact: Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards Celebrate 10 Years of Inspiring Change at Landmark London Event

Friday 7th November 2025 – Over 700 guests gathered at the Hilton London Metropole for the 10th annual Multicultural…

Advertorial
Pearson
Sponsored post

EPA reform: changes inevitable, but not unfamiliar

Change is coming and, as always with FE, it’s seemingly inevitable. I’ve spent over 20 years working in the sector….

Advertorial
NCFE
Sponsored post

Funding Is Flowing, Demand Is Rising — It’s Time for FE to Deliver on Green Skills

As the UK races toward net zero, the government says it wants to back 2 million green jobs by…

Advertorial
Sabre Rigs
Sponsored post

Helping every learner use AI responsibly

AI didn’t wait to be invited into the classroom. It burst in mid-lesson. Across UK colleges, learners are already…

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Pearson
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Supporting the UK’s Transport Decarbonisation Plan Through Skills

The UK Government’s Decarbonising Transport: A Better, Greener Britain strategy sets a legally binding path towards a net-zero transport…

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Sabre Rigs
Sponsored post

Project power: ASDAN expands its qualifications portfolio

From 2026, ASDAN’s planned Foundation and Higher Project Qualifications will sit alongside its Extended Project Qualification[CM1] , creating a complete…

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ASDAN
ATAs

Spotlight on excellence: Nominations now open for the Apprenticeship & Training Awards 2026

Nominations are open for the 2026 Apprenticeship & Training Awards, celebrating outstanding employers and providers with national recognition, a…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter

The latest sector transfers

Movers and Shakers

MOVERS AND SHAKERS: EDITION 514

Natalie Perera Chief External Affairs and Communications Officer, AQA Start date: February 2026 Previous Job: CEO, Education Policy Institute…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
Movers and Shakers

MOVERS AND SHAKERS: EDITION 513

Hayley Phare Deputy Principal, Curriculum, The Sheffield College Start date: September 2025 Previous Job: Group Executive Director for Curriculum,…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
Movers and Shakers

MOVERS AND SHAKERS: EDITION 512

Leigh Mills Head of Skills, Employment and Education, York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority Start date: November 2025 Previous…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
Movers and Shakers

MOVERS AND SHAKERS: EDITION 511

Lucy Jeynes Chair. South and City College Birmingham Start date: October 2025 Previous Job: Vice Chair, South and City…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter

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