Plaid Cymru slam Labour for misleading claim they've reached 100,000 apprenticeship target
Labour have ‘moved the goal posts’ to claim its met its target of 100,000 apprenticeships this Senedd term, Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth said during First Minister’s Questions (Tuesdy 24th February 2026).
On 10th February 2026, the Labour Welsh Government claimed that they’d met their target to reach 100,000 apprenticeships in Wales since 2021, using the less rigorous ‘All Starts’ figures which include those who drop out within eight weeks. The original target set in their programme for government was 125,000.
Medr – the body which oversees post-16 education – announced on 22nd January the figure was just over 91,000 apprenticeships created during this Senedd term, using the more rigorous measure which the government previously used themselves.
Mr ap Iorwerth said that the government “has form” on missing targets and “moving the goal posts to hide their failures” – referencing changes to health targets.
Plaid Cymru leader, Rhun ap Iorwerth MS said:
“Transparency in politics is of the utmost importance – especially as we approach the next Senedd elections.
“Yet this Labour Welsh Government have conveniently changed how it calculates apprenticeships to meet their reduced target of 100,000 – when the actual figure is almost 10,000 fewer when you exclude those who have dropped out of the programme within just eight weeks. This is the opposite of the transparency that the people of Wales expect from their government.
“But we know this government has form on this. After all, Labour’s legacy is one of missing targets and then moving the goal posts to hide their failures: on two year waits in the NHS, A&E waiting times, and now with apprenticeships.
“It’s no wonder people are losing faith in Labour: not only for their record of failing to deliver, but their decision to sugarcoat every failure instead of taking accountability.
“It’s time for new leadership. A Plaid Cymru Government will ensure greater transparency to lead to better government, and a real ambition to get to grips with the issues facing our communities.”
