Asked by: Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Sherlock on 15 June (HL505), what progress the Health and Safety Executive have made with their consultation; whether they have ensured women of fertile age are included in the consultees; and when they expect to publish their decision regarding any changes to the Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002 (SI 2002/2672).
Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has recently consulted widely on proposed changes to the lead in blood exposure levels in the Control of Lead at Work Regulations (CLAW) 2002. The consultation concluded on 7 June 2026, and included consideration of the impact on different categories of workers including women of reproductive capacity and the operability of any proposed changes.
HSE will continue its analysis and engagement to better understand the impact of the proposed levels in the coming months, prior to making any further recommendations for reform. Since early 2025, HSE has been engaging with a range of businesses especially the heritage sector, which employs a high proportion of women, about possible changes to CLAW to inform this work.
Asked by: Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of current regulations on permitted levels of lead in the blood of employees on (1) those working in the heritage arts and craft sector, and (2) stained glass artists.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
In response to an assessment of the latest available scientific and medical data dealing with exposure to lead and the impact of the current permitted levels in the blood of employees, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recently consulted on proposed changes to the Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002. This gathered evidence to assess the impact of revised exposure levels on the working environment, including the heritage workforce and stained glass artists. To ensure the historic sector is fully considered, HSE engaged with heritage organisations like Historic England and the Institute of Conservation (ICON) stained glass group, and will discuss proposals with DWP and DCMS before finalising reforms.
Asked by: Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Sherlock on 15 June (HL504), what plans they have to provide further support to those working in the heritage arts and craft sector.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
Heritage skills, such as in stained glass, are an important part of our country’s heritage. The Government is investing significantly in apprenticeships through the Growth and Skills Levy, and in arts and heritage capital projects during this Parliament with nearly £200m of new funding over four years to support heritage.
This capital investment will support the pipeline of heritage construction projects and provide training and career opportunities in heritage skills. The Heritage Minister convened skills roundtables with the sector to encourage and support their commitment to building a sustainable skills pipeline.
DCMS is in discussions with Skills England, the Department for Education and the Department for Work and Pensions to consider how the Growth and Skills Levy continues to support heritage-specific occupations.
Stained glass painting and making has been submitted to the UK’s new living heritage inventory, which if approved will provide formal recognition and aid in safeguarding this traditional skill.
Asked by: Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Sherlock on 15 June (HL505), what plans they have to provide further support to stained glass artists.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
Heritage skills, such as in stained glass, are an important part of our country’s heritage. The Government is investing significantly in apprenticeships through the Growth and Skills Levy, and in arts and heritage capital projects during this Parliament with nearly £200m of new funding over four years to support heritage.
This capital investment will support the pipeline of heritage construction projects and provide training and career opportunities in heritage skills. The Heritage Minister convened skills roundtables with the sector to encourage and support their commitment to building a sustainable skills pipeline.
DCMS is in discussions with Skills England, the Department for Education and the Department for Work and Pensions to consider how the Growth and Skills Levy continues to support heritage-specific occupations.
Stained glass painting and making has been submitted to the UK’s new living heritage inventory, which if approved will provide formal recognition and aid in safeguarding this traditional skill.
Asked by: Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask His Majesty's Government, in light of the Health and Safety Executive’s proposals to lower the permitted level of lead in the blood of general employees, what assessment they have made of the impact on those who work in the heritage arts and crafts sector.
Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is currently consulting on proposed changes to the Control of Lead at Work Regulations (CLAW) 2002 to enable the impact of these proposed levels in the working environment to be fully assessed. HSE has also been engaging with the heritage sector about potential changes to CLAW since early 2025 and is continuing to engage with a range of businesses.
Asked by: Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask His Majesty's Government, in light of the Health and Safety Executive’s proposals to lower the permitted level of lead in the blood of general employees, what assessment they have made of the impact on stained glass artists.
Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is currently consulting on proposed changes to the Control of Lead at Work Regulations (CLAW) 2002 to enable the impact of these proposed lev-els in the working environment to be fully assessed. HSE has also been engaging with the heritage sector about potential changes to CLAW since early 2025 and is continuing to engage with a range of businesses to inform this work, including representatives of the broader heritage and specific stained-glass sectors, prior to making any final recommendations.
Asked by: Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to ensure that the scope of the national inquiry into grooming gangs will include the consideration of the historic background and factors behind child sexual exploitation and abuse in the United Kingdom.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
We are working urgently to establish the Inquiry and Baroness Casey of Blackstock is supporting this process.
Our immediate priority is appointing a Chair with the credibility and experience to lead the inquiry, ensuring a trauma-informed approach to engaging victims and survivors throughout - from its design to reporting. We aim to announce a Chair as soon as possible.
Under the Inquiries Act, the Minister is responsible for defining the scope and structure of an inquiry. Once a Chair is appointed, in line with the requirements of the Inquiries Act 2005, the Chair will play a central role in shaping the Inquiry’s Terms of Reference.
Asked by: Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government on what date they will announce the appointment of the chair of the national inquiry into group-based child sexual exploitation and abuse.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
We are working urgently to establish the Inquiry and Baroness Casey of Blackstock is supporting this process.
Our immediate priority is appointing a Chair with the credibility and experience to lead the inquiry, ensuring a trauma-informed approach to engaging victims and survivors throughout - from its design to reporting. We aim to announce a Chair as soon as possible.
Under the Inquiries Act, the Minister is responsible for defining the scope and structure of an inquiry. Once a Chair is appointed, in line with the requirements of the Inquiries Act 2005, the Chair will play a central role in shaping the Inquiry’s Terms of Reference.
Asked by: Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what role ministers will have in shaping the terms of reference for the national inquiry into group-based child sexual exploitation and abuse.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
We are working urgently to establish the Inquiry and Baroness Casey of Blackstock is supporting this process.
Our immediate priority is appointing a Chair with the credibility and experience to lead the inquiry, ensuring a trauma-informed approach to engaging victims and survivors throughout - from its design to reporting. We aim to announce a Chair as soon as possible.
Under the Inquiries Act, the Minister is responsible for defining the scope and structure of an inquiry. Once a Chair is appointed, in line with the requirements of the Inquiries Act 2005, the Chair will play a central role in shaping the Inquiry’s Terms of Reference.
Asked by: Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne (Conservative - Life peer)
Question
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to reject the Equality and Human Rights Commission updated draft code of practice for services, public functions and associations.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The EHRC has revised its Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations following the consultation and submitted it to the Minister for Women and Equalities.
The Government is considering the updated draft Code and, if the decision is taken to approve it, the Code will be laid before Parliament for a 40 day period. It is right that the Minister takes the time to consider it in detail and follow the necessary steps.