Long-awaited guidance on the apprenticeship levy is finally due to be published this week - two months after it was initially expected to be released.

The Department for Education confirmed to TES this morning that the guidance on how the levy will be implemented ahead of its planned introduction in April 2017 will be published on Friday. Providers and employers have complained that the delays caused by the Brexit vote and restructuring of government departments have been making it difficult for them to prepare for the levy.

The guidance is expected to include details of provisional funding bands, which will set the maximum amount of funding that is available for each apprenticeship from April 2017, as well as the provisional level of the government towards the cost of apprenticeship training for non-levy-paying employers from next April.

Details of funding levels for 16-18 apprentices and the support available for English and maths training for apprentices, as well as eligibility rules, are also due to be included.

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