Local authorities are being left in the dark on how they will be able to meet the government’s new apprenticeships target.

Speaking in the House of Commons, shadow minister for business, innovation and skills, Kevin Brennan, said there was ‘little explanation from the Government as to how local government and other public bodies, which have been subject to deep budget cuts, will easily be able to expand the number of high-quality apprenticeships that they can offer at a time when they are having to reduce their staffing because of central government policy’.

The MJ understands that the new apprenticeships levy is predicted to cost councils £200m a year while the target of 33,000 new apprenticeships a year could add a further £400m.

However, minister for small business, industry and enterprise, Anna Soubry, has insisted local authorities are ‘more than able’ of reaching the goal.