Bangladesh hire India's Joshi as spin bowling coach

• Employers could be required to pay 25 per cent of training costs for apprentices aged 25 and over.
• The proposed change is intended to reverse a 40 per cent decline in youth apprenticeship starts over the past decade.
• Ministers are considering a phased introduction from September 2027, although the plan has not been finalised.

Employers in England could face higher training costs for older apprentices under government plans to steer more businesses towards hiring and training young people, as ministers try to tackle the youth jobs crisis.

The proposed overhaul of the growth and skills levy would require employers to cover 25 per cent of eligible training costs for apprentices aged 25 and over, while funding would remain available for apprentices aged 16 to 24. The change is being considered as part of the government's response to a review into why so many young people are out of work.