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Written question asked by Suella Braverman (Reform UK) on Friday, 11 September 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 15 September 2026. It was answered by Lilian Greenwood (Labour) on Monday, 21 September 2026 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Apprentices: British Nationals Abroad

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the three‑year UK residency requirement for apprenticeships on British citizens who have lived overseas due to parental employment, and whether she plans to review this policy.

Answer

This Government is transforming the Apprenticeships Levy into a new Growth and Skills Levy in England, backed by £1 billion of additional investment, which will support 50,000 more young people into apprenticeships, give employers greater flexibility to develop the workforce they need, and support the industrial strategy.

The three-year residency requirement forms part of the eligibility criteria for government funded apprenticeships and is consistent with longstanding residency requirements used elsewhere in publicly funded education programmes. The apprenticeship funding rules provide that learners who are temporarily outside the UK for reasons such as employment should be considered ordinarily resident in the UK for the purposes of assessing eligibility for apprenticeship funding on their return. In addition, those aged 16 to 18 may be eligible for apprenticeship funding where they are accompanying a parent who has the right of abode. The Department keeps apprenticeship funding rules under review.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
29141
Session
2026-27
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
British nationals abroad Apprentices Employment Parents
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk