Reform UK pledges 30% apprentice wage rebate for small firms

Reform UK proposed a 30% wage rebate for SMEs hiring apprentices aged 16 to 18, plus a £2,000 bonus for workers who stay two years after training. The party estimated the cost at £1.48bn to nearly £2bn over five years. Education spokeswoman Suella Braverman said firms would save an average of £4,000 a year per apprentice.