To ask the Minister for the Economy, given the Executive's stated commitment to growing the economy through skills, to detail (i) the rationale for reducing the funding for skills and apprenticeships; and (ii) whether there will be any consideration given to the ring-fencing of apprenticeship levy income.

The current budget decisions are being made by the Department’s Permanent Secretary in the context of contingency allocations and should not be read as reflecting my ministerial priorities or decisions.

While apprenticeship policy and spending are devolved, the Apprenticeship Levy is an excepted matter, and my Department has no remit over either the paying or allocation of levy funds.

Over almost a decade, resource funding for my Department has increased by only 1%, compared to a 58% increase across the Executive. This real terms cut has consequences for investment in skills.

I will continue to make the strong case for increased funding for skills and apprenticeships to support workers and businesses.