***Embargoed until 0001 Wednesday 20th August 2014***

Chuka Umunna MP, Labour’s Shadow Business Secretary, said:

“Labour has led calls for more high quality apprenticeships so any belated move in this direction is welcome and the companies involved should be congratulated.

“However Vince Cable continues to fail to back Labour’s plans to use public procurement to increase apprenticeship opportunities.

“And before ministers spend too long congratulating themselves they have urgent questions to answer over what is happening to apprenticeships on their watch. Data published this year by Vince Cable’s own department shows that the number of under 19 apprenticeship starts has been falling and House of Commons library research this year suggests it is now twice as hard to get an apprenticeship as it is to get into university.”