Government to restrict funding for solicitor apprenticeships

The decision was welcomed by City Century, the solicitor apprenticeship initiative backed by the City of London Law Society.

“This is a sensible, principled outcome and we are grateful that government has listened to the evidence, seen the impact, and acted,” said Colin Passmore, chair of the City of London Law Society. “Credit to government is very much due.”

Aster Crawshaw, senior partner at Addleshaw Goddard, who has carried out advocacy on behalf of the society as well as his firm, said: “I am pleased that the Department for Education is protecting opportunities for young people. The Level 7 apprentice programme has been a real game-changer for social mobility in the legal profession, and that has been a key objective for all of us.

“The profession is stronger for being able to access a deeper pool of talent, and that supports both the rule of law and economic growth.”