Tim Baum-Dixon: Labour’s cuts to Level 7 apprenticeships undermine growth, opportunity and social mobility

Tim Baum-Dixon is Conservative Councillor for Anston and Woodsetts on Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council and a member of the South Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel. He is a Director at Botham Accounting.

Labour’s decision to restrict public funding for Level 7 apprenticeships to those aged 21 and under is a direct attack on social mobility, skills development and business growth.

It is also a clear example of policy incoherence: a government claiming to pursue national renewal and a skills-led economy while simultaneously dismantling one of the most effective, proven routes into high-value careers.

As a Chartered Accountant, I’ve seen exactly how these programmes change lives. I’ve worked with young people from single-parent households and low-income families — people who had no chance of affording university. Many started with AAT Level 3 and 4 qualifications, then progressed to Level 7 Chartered Accountancy. Today, they manage teams, advise clients and earn over £50,000 before the age of 30.

These aren’t abstract examples. They’re real people doing real jobs in sectors that underpin the UK economy.

In 2023/24, there were 23,860 Level 7 apprenticeship starts. Of these, 9,200 were in accountancy and tax — making it the most popular route. Nearly half of all Level 7 apprentices were the first in their family to achieve a professional qualification. The vast majority were over 21, having worked through earlier stages of professional development. These are not school leavers bypassing university — they are serious, committed individuals building structured careers.

This policy also unfairly excludes others who have taken different but equally valuable paths. It discriminates against those who pursued postgraduate degrees, students on sandwich courses gaining practical experience, people who chose to work or care for family before higher education, and mature students who are retraining. These individuals often bring broader life experience and diversity to the workforce — something employers value highly.

Cutting them out of the system serves no economic or social purpose.

Businesses, particularly SMEs, depend on these apprenticeships to build and retain the talent they need. In sectors like finance, audit, tax, legal and compliance, Level 7 apprenticeships are vital. They address real skills gaps and enable employers to grow their own workforce.

This is not a low-value scheme. These are demanding programmes, regulated by respected bodies such as ICAEW and ACCA. They produce highly trained professionals who contribute meaningfully to productivity and economic output. ICAEW described the funding cut as a major blow — and rightly so.

The Conservative Party should be speaking out clearly on this.

The decision should be challenged not only because it is economically flawed, but because it stands in direct opposition to what we claim to stand for.

This is a chance to reaffirm our values. Supporting aspiration. Promoting work and achievement. Strengthening the link between education, effort and opportunity. Backing the businesses that deliver economic growth and skilled jobs.

We also have to face the political reality.

We are not doing enough to appeal to the next generation of voters.

Many young people do not see the Conservative Party as relevant to their future. By defending policies like these, we can begin to show that we understand their goals and support their ambitions.

This policy must be reversed. Not for headlines, but for the young adults, the employers, and the communities that depend on it.

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