Financial Planning firms are to be offered up to £9,600 if they take on an adviser apprentice.

Cashflow modelling has been included among the key competencies required of trainee advisers entering a new national Government apprenticeship scheme.

Alan Sugar’s former Apprentice adviser says the image of the pensioner as an old person crossing the road has been confined to a thing of the past - as a survey unveiled many over 55s looking to become later-life entrepreneurs.