Hundreds more were put off apprenticeships and adult education last year after the government slashed funding for learners over 24, official figures revealed yesterday. 

Business Department statistics show the number of adults in further education plummeted by 10.7 per cent, while apprenticeship numbers also fell by over 13 per cent.

The fall comes after the Con-Dems cut grants for adults in April and replaced them with loans that leave learners facing future debts.