To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many new apprenticeships have been created in (a) Cumbria and (b) Copeland constituency in each of the last five years. (255029)

This Government are committed to apprenticeships. Since 1997 we have witnessed a renaissance in apprenticeships from a low point of 64,000 with only 27 per cent completions to last year's record high of 225,000 with 64 per cent. completions, a remarkable achievement.

Tables 1 shows the number of apprenticeship starts in Cumbria local authority, Copeland constituency and the total for England. Figures are presented from 2003-04 to 2007-08, the latest year for which fully audited data is available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how much funding has been provided by his Department to support apprenticeship schemes in (a) Cumbria and (b) Copeland constituency in each of the last five years. (255030)

Information on apprenticeships funding in Cumbria is provided in the following table. This funding relates to providers contracted in the LSC Cumbria area and is not available at constituency level.

Since 1997 we have witnessed a renaissance in apprenticeships from a low point of 64,000 with only 27 per cent. completions to last year’s record high of 225,000 with 64 per cent. completions, a remarkable achievement. We will build on this with funding for apprenticeships in England planning to be increased to over £1 billion in 2009-10. Last month my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced a £140 million package to provide 35,000 extra apprenticeship places in the coming year.