Asked by: Baroness Wolf of Dulwich (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many people started an apprenticeship in (1) thatching, (2) stone masonry level 2, (3) stone masonry level 3, and (4) stained glass crafts, in (a) 2015, (b) 2016, (c) 2021, (d) 2022, (e) 2023, (f) 2024, and (g) 2025.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The requested data on how many people started an apprenticeship in thatching, stone masonry (levels 2 and 3) and stained glass crafts, across the specified dates, is set out below:
Level 2 Thatcher (ST0821)
There have been no people starting a Level 2 Thatcher (ST0821) apprenticeship since it was approved for delivery in February 2024.
Level 2 Stonemasonry (ST0442)
There have been a total of 243 starts on the Level 2 Stonemasonry (ST0442) apprenticeship since it was approved for delivery in June 2021. No data is available for 2015/2016 because the qualification did not exist at the time:
2020/21 – 1 start
2021/22 – 67 starts
2022/23 – 53 starts
2023/24 – 31 starts
2024/25 – 49 starts
2025/26 - 42 starts
There is no Level 3 in Stonemasonry available at present.
Level 4 Stained Glass Craftsperson (ST0912)
There have been a total of 3 starts on this apprenticeship since it was approved for delivery in September 2021: No data is available for 2015/2016 because the qualification did not exist at the time:
2020/21 – 0 starts
2021/22 – 0 starts
2023/24 – 1 start
2024/25 – 2 starts
This has been derived from the Skills England website, where all data regarding apprenticeships is publicly available.
Asked by: Baroness Wolf of Dulwich (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the source of funding for Ofcom; whether it levies fees and charges; and if so, (1) under what authority, (2) against whom, and (3) what mechanisms there are for challenging the level of those fees and charges.
Answered by Lord Ashton of Hyde
Ofcom is currently funded through fees from industry for regulating broadcasting and communications networks and from grant in aid from government. The Digital Economy Bill contains a provision to change Ofcom’s funding so that it will be entirely self-funded, only receiving grant-in-aid for delivery of specific government programmes
Under the Communications Act 2003 (sections 38 - 39 and 347) the Broadcasting Act 1990 (sections 4 and 87), the Broadcasting Act 1996 (sections 4 and 43) and the Postal Services Act 2011 (section 43), Ofcom is required to raise income from each of the sectors it regulates, such that it covers the costs to be incurred by Ofcom in regulating that sector.
Ofcom currently raises its funds from:
Ofcom imposes its fees in accordance with its published Statement of Charging Principles. Whilst there is no statutory mechanism for challenging Ofcom’s fees, before making or revising its Statement of Charging Principles Ofcom must first consult those people who, in its opinion, are likely to be affected by the principles contained in that document. Ofcom also responds to stakeholders queries on the fees and charges set.