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.

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.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that reforms to Level 3 qualifications do not narrow routes into creative education and employment in the creative sector.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

As set out in the Post-16 level 3 and below pathways consultation response, every student entering post-16 education will have a clear choice of high-quality pathways in the reformed system. At level 3, this will be between A Levels, V Levels and T Levels.

For the creative sector, we intend to expand the existing offer by introducing new T Levels in creative and design from 2029, and introducing V Levels in creative, media and design from 2030.

Ahead of this, the department will work with the Department for Culture Media and Sport to engage with employers and providers in the creative sectors to contribute to the design and development of the reformed qualifications. This will ensure they support progression into higher-level study, apprenticeships, or skilled technical roles.

The department has already announced reforms to the delivery of T Levels industry placements to facilitate placements in creative settings. We will continue to work with the sector to ensure the reformed qualifications meet the needs of the sector ahead of their introduction.

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

Found: of Culross; Baroness Elliott of Whitburn Bay; Baroness Fleet; Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate; Lord Knight of Weymouth

Submit Evidence (by 7 Sep 2026)

This inquiry will examine whether the Online Safety Act has begun to make online services safer for UK users. The Committee will consider Ofcom's implementation and enforcement of the Act's provisions, the changes made by regulated online services, and what further action may be needed to improve the UK's online safety regime.