YOUNG people from disadvantaged backgrounds are less likely to start the best apprenticeships than their well-off peers, a new report has found.

Just 7 per cent of young men and 11 per cent of young women who were eligible for free school meals have since taken up an advanced level apprenticeship, compared to 14 per cent overall, the Sutton Trust said yesterday.

Fewer than one in four young people in England starting a level 2 apprenticeship progressed to a level 3 one, due to insufficient training and access to skilled work.