Politics · 29 July 2026
Why did families lose benefits over apprenticeships?
Families could lose almost £340 a week in benefits when a child started an apprenticeship, the Social Security Advisory Committee found. Ministers Pat McFadden and Lucy Powell responded with a £4,500 bursary for parents on benefits and £8,000 grants for small businesses hiring apprentices. The scheme, funded by a levy on big employers, aims for 50,000 apprenticeships and could cost up to £1bn.
Reported by LBC · How we write briefs