Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the administrative and regulatory barriers to employers taking on apprentices; and what steps he is taking to remove such barriers. [42798]

John Hayes MP; Minister of State (Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning): We are committed to expanding apprenticeships, and by 2014-15 there will be public funding for 75,000 more adults to start an apprenticeship than under the previous Government's plans. This means we need encourage more employers to get involved by both maintaining quality and making the system easier for employers to take on apprentices.

"Skills for Sustainable Growth", published in November 2010, clearly set out the Government's commitment to making the learning and skills system more responsive to learners and employers. We are reforming the system by reducing the number of bodies in the skills landscape, introducing a much simpler funding system, and more proportionate quality assurance and inspection.

In addition, the Department is currently working with a group of larger employers to further examine the burdens imposed on employers when engaging with the skills system. The findings will be reported in spring 2011 and will inform future arrangements.

More generally, this Government are committed to removing avoidable regulatory burdens wherever they arise-the One-in, One-out rule for regulation is beginning to stem the flow of regulation and next month the outcomes from the Growth Review will be announced in the Budget. This will set out what each part of government is doing to enable growth and create the positive business environment required for businesses to start-up, invest and prosper.