Asked by: Lord Knight of Weymouth (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology procured a corporate VPN service in any of the last three financial years; and if so, which provider was used and what was the expenditure in each of those years.
Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
DSIT uses Zscaler, a suite of secure access services that includes VPN functionality. Zscaler is contracted for by Integrated Corporate Services (ICS) Digital on DSIT’s behalf. The cost for the VPN solution is part of a broader contract for Zscaler services. The overall contract details can be found on the Contract Finder.[1]
[1] https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/319faf58-fe5c-447c-bbaa-c3ab006ad872
Asked by: Lord Knight of Weymouth (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government what is the current uptake of existing T-levels in the creative and performing arts; and what expectations of uptake were.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
There are two T Levels in the Creative and Design route (Craft and Design and Media, Broadcast and Production), both of which were taught for the first time in 2024.
Outcomes for students completing these T Levels will be made available as part of the T Level results data publication this summer.
In the reformed system, T Levels will be the only large qualification available for students who want a sector-focused post-16 choice. We expect student numbers to grow as legacy qualifications are removed and as a result of our further improvements to T Levels and industry placements, as set out in the Post-16 Implementation Plan. This plan also confirmed that ‘Art and Performing Arts’ is in scope for T Level content development for 2030.
The Post-16 Implementation Plan is available on GOV.UK.
Asked by: Lord Knight of Weymouth (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government what are the completion rates of T-levels in the creative and performing arts since their introduction.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
There are two T Levels in the Creative and Design route (Craft and Design and Media, Broadcast and Production), both of which were taught for the first time in 2024.
Outcomes for students completing these T Levels will be made available as part of the T Level results data publication this summer.
In the reformed system, T Levels will be the only large qualification available for students who want a sector-focused post-16 choice. We expect student numbers to grow as legacy qualifications are removed and as a result of our further improvements to T Levels and industry placements, as set out in the Post-16 Implementation Plan. This plan also confirmed that ‘Art and Performing Arts’ is in scope for T Level content development for 2030.
The Post-16 Implementation Plan is available on GOV.UK.
Asked by: Lord Knight of Weymouth (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government what proportion of the current work placements offered for T-level students is by employers with fewer than 10 employees.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The department does not hold data on the type and size of employers offering T Level industry placements. However, insight from T Level providers indicates that a large number of employers offering placements are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The department recognises that some sectors and employers face specific upfront costs to deliver industry placements, including SMEs. The Employer Support Fund will continue into the 2026/27 financial year, helping SMEs hosting placements for any T Levels to meet essential costs.
The department delivers a dedicated SME engagement campaign to increase awareness of the benefits and opportunities associated with industry placements and facilitates connections between SMEs and providers.
In addition, a network of over 1,400 T Level Ambassadors champion T Levels and industry placements across the business community, including among SMEs.