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18 September 2026

Long Read

Levy under the lens with Milburn’s NEET review

Alan Milburn has questioned whether the growth and skills levy should survive in its current form. Experts agree it must change – but disagree over whether the answer is abolition or a more targeted system

Billy Camden

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Alan Milburn’s latest round of national newspaper interviews has put England’s apprenticeship system in the firing line.

The former Labour cabinet minister, who is close to concluding his review into young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET), has suggested that his final report could recommend subjecting the £4 billion-a-year levy to a “root and branch” review.

The levy was supposed to expand apprenticeships, particularly among young people, while improving quality. Milburn argues that it has succeeded on the latter but failed on the former.

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