Law Society welcomes government’s level 7 apprenticeship funding exemption

Reading time: two minutes

The Law Society is among a number of organisations to welcome the government’s decision to “continue funding the level 7 apprenticeships for those aged 16 to 21”, while urging the government to extend this support to cover the funding of level 7 apprenticeships for those over the age of 21.

The government’s skills reform update, which was published today (27 May 2025), stated that it’s: “Refocusing funding away from level 7 (masters-level) apprenticeships from January 2026, while maintaining support for those aged 16 to 21 and existing apprentices. This will enable levy funding to be rebalanced towards training at lower levels, where it can have the greatest impact.”  

This news comes following the government’s controversial planned reforms, which had asked businesses to rebalance funding for apprenticeships, including requesting employers to fund more of their level 7 apprenticeships.

In response to the planned reforms announced in 2024, City Century, the City of London Law Society, the Law Society, legal training providers and many law firms put forward arguments advocating for this route into the profession and the need for it to be protected thanks to its impact on social mobility in the legal profession.

Chair of the City of London Law Society, Colin Passmore, has described the most recent outcome as “sensible” and “principled”. Meanwhile, Joanna Hughes, who led the lobbying for City Century, took to LinkedIn to thank the government: “The exemption announced today for young people aged 16 to 21 from the level 7 apprenticeships funding cut keeps the door open to one of the most powerful social mobility routes into law, and is an example of how the government is prioritising young people as part of its Youth Guarantee.”

Law Society President Richard Atkinson believes the decision will “encourage many young people to pursue a career in legal services”, benefitting “not just the legal sector, but also those young people that can’t afford university fees”.

However, the Law Society continues to call on the government “to maintain apprenticeship funding for people over 21”, adding that such funding is “critical” to support recruitment within the legal profession.

Atkinson explained: “Level 7 solicitor apprenticeships continue to be the only route outside of university to qualify as a solicitor due to specific qualifications set by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). Apprenticeships play a vital role in promoting social mobility. We also hope to see these apprenticeships brought over to Wales, to allow young people the same valuable opportunities.”

To find out more about legal apprenticeships, check out our Apprenticeships hub, sponsored by Mayer Brown International LLP.