ESCC Receives Second Response from Minister on Apprenticeship Reforms

SCTP has been working with East Sussex County Council through their Apprenticeships in East Sussex group on continued lobbying on the impact of the apprenticeship reforms on non-levy paying businesses. After a bland response to ESCC’s first letter, a more detailed letter was sent raising the issue of the gaps in provision that had been created by the non-levy procurement process leaving some providers without contracts and calling for a relaxation of subcontracting rules as a possible solution. Sadly, Anne Milton’s second response, apart from acknowledging the concerns, offers little other than a restatement of what the Government has done and why, without engaging in a dialogue to address the concerns raised. The letter does at least reaffirm the Government’s commitment to the 3 million starts target.