DWP caps new starts on defunded apprenticeships to stop recruitment rush Funding axe will also kick in immediately for providers with no recorded starts on affected standards in 2024-25 and 2025-26
First apprenticeship units limited to ‘strong’ providers New guidance and draft funding rules provide detail on duration, age restrictions, assessment and payment model
New level 2 admin apprenticeship limited to under-25s It is the first time an apprenticeship has been given an age restriction outside of level 7 apprenticeships
Teaching hours cut ‘not enough to revive T Levels’ College leaders doubt that putting the ‘bloated’ courses on a diet will be the silver bullet ministers hope for
Ministers shrink T Levels to boost take-up and manageability New T Levels will be smaller than any existing course, with content and assessment trimmed to ease delivery pressures
DfE agrees to BTECs defunding delay Funding for the level 3 courses will now continue into the 2026-27 academic year as ministers amend ‘aggressive’ approach
Angela Middleton stripped of MBE by King Charles The ex-apprenticeship boss has honour revoked for ‘bringing the honours system into disrepute’ after owing DfE £12.5m
Functional skills amend among DWP’s funding fixes Other rule changes in the works cover visas, subcontracting, completion payments and learning support reimbursements
ATC 2026: DWP apprenticeships chief talks streamlining, units and assessment Final details will come ‘shortly’ and released simultaneously to provide ‘clarity about the future offer’