Based on my research, the claim that the government is providing "record funding for apprenticeships" is well-supported by multiple sources. **Evidence:** 1. **Government sources**: A December 2025 GOV.UK press release described a £725 million package of reforms to the apprenticeship system, with total investment in the Youth Guarantee and Growth and Skills Levy reaching £2.5 billion over three years. A March 2026 GOV.UK release added a further £1 billion, bringing the total to £2.5 billion over the Spending Review period. 2. **Budget figures**: The apprenticeship budget exceeded £3 billion for the first time in 2025-26 (originally set at £3.075 billion, boosted mid-year to £3.118 billion). For 2026-27, the budget rises further to **£3.3 billion** — described as a "record-breaking" figure by both government officials and sector media. This is up from £2.729 billion in 2024-25. 3. **Direct government language**: A government minister (as quoted by FE News) explicitly stated: "Although we have a record-breaking budget of £3.3bn, it is a finite resource we expect to fully spend." FE News and FE Week independently confirmed the £3.3 billion figure and its "record-breaking" characterization. 4. **Context**: The increase is partly driven by rising levy revenues from employers, and the Treasury still retains a portion of levy receipts not returned to the apprenticeship system. Some experts note the increase broadly tracks levy revenue growth rather than representing a real-terms step-change. Additionally, spending is projected to fall after 2026-27 (to £3.195 billion in 2027-28 and £3.161 billion in 2028-29) due to defunding of certain higher-level apprenticeships. **Assessment**: The core factual assertion — that the government is providing record funding for apprenticeships — is accurate as of June 2026. The apprenticeship budget is at its highest-ever nominal level (£3.3 billion for 2026-27), confirmed by both official government statements and independent sector reporting. While one could note that the increase partly reflects rising levy receipts rather than fresh government expenditure, and that the budget is projected to decline after 2026-27, these qualifications do not undermine the fact that the current funding level is record-breaking. The characterization of this as part of "welfare reform" is a political framing choice, but the underlying funding claim is true. Sources: GOV.UK press release "50,000 more young people to benefit from apprenticeships" (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/50000-more-young-people-to-benefit-from-apprenticeships-as-government-unveils-new-skills-reforms-to-get-britain-working); GOV.UK press release "Major employment drive to help unlock 200,000 new jobs and apprenticeships" (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/major-employment-drive-to-help-unlock-200000-new-jobs-and-apprenticeships-for-next-generation); FE News "Apprenticeship Budget Exceeds £3 Billion" (https://www.fenews.co.uk/skills/apprenticeship-budget-exceeds-3-billion-level-7-apprenticeship-funding-just-for-16-21-year-olds-from-jan-26/); FE News "Apprenticeship funding band review commissioned" (https://www.fenews.co.uk/skills/apprenticeship-funding-band-review-commissioned-to-boost-young-peoples-starts/); FE Week "Apprenticeship budget to rise to £3.3bn" (https://feweek.co.uk/apprenticeship-budget-to-rise-to-3-3bn-amid-savings-scramble/); FE Week "DWP swerved apprenticeship overspend" (https://feweek.co.uk/dwp-swerved-apprenticeship-overspend-with-mid-year-cash-boost/)