Apprenticeship funding impact report

Our stance

We are representatives of the Accountancy and Tax sector. We ask the Government to reconsider its decision to abolish funding for Level 7 apprenticeships. Although the Government seeks to justify the use of this blunt instrument on the basis that it will benefit young people in lower level apprenticeships, we suggest that it will be enormously damaging to apprenticeships, to young people, to businesses in the sector, and ultimately to the economy. 

Level 7 accountancy apprenticeships deliver precisely what businesses and young people in the sector need, fostering opportunity, progression, financial stability, inclusion, social mobility, and economic growth in 25% of the government’s own Industrial Strategy.

We recognise the intention behind the government’s agenda, but it will be counter-productive to remove all Level 7, including accountancy and law, where the learners are young and starting out in their career.

If the Government stops funding for Level 7 accountancy, it is turning its back on young people and businesses by damaging opportunity and threatening growth.

Report highlights

Strong quantitative and qualitative evidence supports retaining Level 7 funding for apprenticeships.

In our October 2024 survey, 1,435 Level 7 Accountancy and Taxation apprentices and 75 employers highlighted seven reasons why the Level 7 Accountancy and Taxation Professional Apprenticeships should stay:

1. They are for young people (contrary to what the Government seems to think)
2. They provide social mobility and diversity
3. They are a progression passport
4. They protect those in financial need
5. Level 7 opportunities will not be automatically employer funded – job opportunities will be cut
6. They provide skills that employers actually need: it shouldn’t be sacrificed as political leverage
7. They fulfil the Government’s own Industrial Strategy priorities