To ask Her Majesty's Government what proportion of the 250,000 new apprentices who are projected to start their apprenticeships by 2020 they expect to be disabled people; and what plans they have to achieve that target. [HL1576]

The Government are committed to ensuring that all people with learning difficulties or disabilities have full access to apprenticeship learning opportunities and we provide extra funds for appropriate specialist support and equipment. The proportion of young people starting apprenticeships in England who have a learning difficulty or disability was 12 per cent in 2007-08, up slightly from 11 per cent in the previous two years. We have no plans to introduce specific targets for the proportion of disabled people starting or completing apprenticeships. However, we are in discussion with Jonathan Shaw, the Minister for Disability, on ways of increasing employment opportunities for disabled people which will include apprenticeships. We are implementing world-class apprenticeships plans to increase the take-up and completion rates of apprenticeships by learners who are currently underrepresented in the programme. Pilots starting later this year will aim to increase the critical mass of learners in non-traditional occupations to encourage more such applications; and mentoring trials will support atypical apprentices through their experience. The National Apprenticeships Vacancy Matching Service which went live in January this year will help match employers to prospective apprentices and provides the opportunity for learners with disabilities and difficulties to raise any needs they will require for an interview so that they have the opportunity of being fully supported. There will be support available for learners who are not being successful in their applications. In addition, more disabled people are being helped as a result of extending apprenticeships to older learners.