The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has been hit with new headcount restrictions that are putting Universal Credit claimants at risk. Minister Andrew Western responded to concerns from MPs about the number of apprentices the welfare department is hiring.
Labour MP Mr Western told Peter Bedford MP: "As the policy holder for apprenticeships and skills, the Department for Work and Pensions recognises the value of apprenticeships in building skills and kickstarting careers. We are committed to creating meaningful apprenticeship opportunities within our department and are proud to be 6th in the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers ranking."
Speaking in the Commons, Mr Western championed the DWP's efforts, saying: "Since 2022, we have created opportunities for over 500 Universal Credit claimants to start a Level 2 or 3 apprenticeship with entry-level work experience within the department through our Social Mobility Apprenticeship scheme, with many apprentices securing permanent employment in DWP."
He added: "We have also created apprenticeship opportunities for young people who would have otherwise been at risk of becoming not in education, employment or training (NEET) through our School Leaver SMA scheme."
However, the DWP has also been affected by headcount limits, which has resulted in fewer Universal Credit claimants finding work with the welfare team. Mr Western told the MP: "In 2025, the Department for Work and Pensions had 907 apprenticeship starts, compared with 1,824 in 2022, 1,348 in 2023 and 1,142 in 2024. Numbers have been limited in recent years by headcount restrictions in the Civil Service."
He continued: "At the same time, we have diversified our entry routeways including an increased focus on our other life chances schemes such as Movement to Work, in addition to apprenticeship opportunities. We have also focussed on improving the overall quality and relevance of our apprenticeship programmes to ensure that they support colleagues to develop the right skills and capabilities for DWP roles, particularly in priority areas such as Digital and Counter Fraud."
The response came after Bedford asked "how many apprentices the Department recruited in 2025, compared with the figures for 2022, 2023 and 2024." The 907 starts last year was less than half the number recorded just three years previously.
