Apprenticeships: Vince Cable defends coalition's record

The Business Secretary Vince Cable has defended the coalition government's record on apprenticeships following criticism from the Labour leader.

He conceded that apprenticeships for 16 to 19-year-olds had decreased under the current government, but insisted that more advanced apprenticeships, which employers valued more, had been created.

Mr Cable described the coalition's apprenticeship policy as a "great success story" that has "breathed life back into" vocational education.

Mr Miliband said a Labour government would guarantee apprenticeships for every school leaver in England who "gets the grades" by 2020.