Apprenticeships bill returns to the Lords
1 May 2025
The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Bill returned to the House of Lords for consideration of Commons amendments in ‘ping pong’, on Wednesday 30 April.
The aim of this government bill is to abolish the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) and transfer its statutory functions to the Secretary of State for Education, who in practice will defer these duties to the newly established Skills England.
Consideration of amendments
The bill was considered by the House of Lords between 9 October last year and 11 February 2025 before passing to the House of Commons.
On Wednesday 30 April, members of the Lords considered changes (PDF) made to the bill by MPs in the Commons in a process known as parliamentary 'ping pong'.
After consideration, these changes were agreed to by the Lords.
Catch up
- Watch on Parliament TV.
- Read the Lords Hansard transcript.
Explore further information
Find out more about the bill in the House of Lords Library briefing.
Next steps
As both Houses have agreed on the text of the bill, it now awaits the final stage of Royal Assent where it will become an Act of Parliament (law).
What's happened so far?
Third reading
A chance for members to ‘tidy up' the bill, making small changes to ensure it is effective, took place on Tuesday 11 February.
Report stage
An extra chance for members to closely scrutinise elements of the bill and make changes took place on Wednesday 5 February.
Committee stage
Line by line examination of the bill took place during committee stage on Tuesday 26 November.
Second reading
Members discussed the principles of the draft law during the bill's second reading on Tuesday 22 October.
Image: Xi Wang / Unsplash
