Apprentice places fell in last 7yrs of Tory rule

THE number of under-19s starting apprenticeships fell by more than a quarter during the final seven years of Tory rule, a union's analysis has shown.

- BY SOPHIE HUSKISSON

The TUC said the rate for under-19s fell by 26% between 2017 and 2024. Among 19 to 24-year-olds, it was down 15%.

At the same time, achievement rates plunged by 44% for under-19s, and by 31% among 19-24s.

TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: "Young people were badly let down by the last Tory government, which failed to invest in their futures.