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Amy Cross-Webber -
17 December, 2025
What you need to know
The Government’s latest Budget brings major improvements to apprenticeship funding. We’ve summarised the key points so you can plan training and recruitment with confidence.
Apprenticeship reforms – general
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What’s changing |
Details |
Date effective from |
|
Funding for Level 7 apprenticeships |
The funding for Level 7 apprenticeships will no longer be available from January 2026 for anyone aged 22 and over. |
January 2026. |
|
Apprenticeship minimum wage |
The apprenticeship minimum wage will rise to £8.00 p/hour (see below for other wage updates). |
April 2026. |
|
Foundation Apprenticeships |
These are entry-level programmes (level 2) designed for young people at the start of their career. The current sectors available are: -
> Health and social care |
August 2025. |
|
Apprenticeship units |
The apprenticeship levy will be changed to the Growth & Skills Levy to allow more flexibility in the programmes it can fund, including the new apprenticeship units. |
April 2026. |
|
Assessment model changes |
The apprenticeship assessment model is being streamlined to build in more flexibility. This includes training providers delivering elements of the assessment whilst the apprentice is on programme. The changes will apply to all apprenticeship standards, and the existing assessment plans are currently being rewritten. |
Already in progress. |
Apprenticeship reforms – levy employers
|
What’s changing |
Details |
Date effective from |
|
Levy funds expiry window |
Levy funds currently stay in your digital account and can be accessed for 24 months. This is being reduced to a 12-month window. |
From August 2026. |
|
10% levy fund top-up |
In addition to the levy paid into your digital account, the government adds an additional 10% top-up. This is being removed. |
From August 2026. |
|
Co-investment for levy payers (once all levy funds used)
|
Once you have used all the levy funding from your digital account, you can continue to offer apprenticeships and use the current government co-investment model of 95% paid by the government, 5% paid by the employer. This is moving to new co-investment model of 75% paid by the government and 25% paid by the employer. |
From August 2026. |
Apprenticeship reforms – SMEs
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What’s changing |
Details |
Date effective from |
|
Funding for apprentices aged under 25. |
Apprenticeship programmes will become fully funded for any SME taking on an apprentice aged under 25. Any apprentices aged 25 and over will still fall under the 95%/5% co-investment model.
|
From August 2026. |
Budget updates - other
Minimum wage updates
|
What’s changing |
Details |
New rate from April 2026 |
|
Apprentice Rate |
£7.55 |
£8.00 |
|
National Living Wage (21+) |
£12.21 |
£12.71 |
|
18-20 Year Olds |
£10.00 |
£10.85 |
|
16–17 Year Olds |
£7.55 |
£8.00 |
Income tax & NIC thresholds
The Chancellor confirmed that thresholds will remain frozen until April 2031:
> Personal allowance: £12,570- > Higher rate threshold: £50,270
- > Additional rate threshold: £125,140
- > Employer NICs secondary threshold: £5,000*
* Don’t forget, there are no Employer NI contributions to pay if your apprentice is under 25 and earning less than the Upper Earnings Limit (£967 a week).
For more information about all of the above click here to go to the Department of Education website.
Contact us to discuss the best apprenticeship funding options for you or your business.
All information correct as of 09/12/25 and is subject to change.
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