Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment the Department has made of the potential impact of the Government’s proposed reforms to post‑16 qualifications on (a) skills development in the creative industries, (b) access to music and creative arts education for students from disadvantaged backgrounds and (c) the future sustainability of specialist creative schools and colleges.

The department recently consulted on the post-16 level 3 and below pathways reforms and have considered views from specialist institutions on what is best for qualifications and building skills in the creative sector.

The department intends to develop V Levels and Level 2 qualifications in the creative sectors for first-teach in 2030/31.

Working with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, we are engaging with employers and providers in the creative sectors, who will be invited to contribute to the design and development of these qualifications and all content will be consulted on before it is confirmed.

The department are conducting exploratory work on content for potential creative T Levels, with extensive engagement with employers, providers and higher education institutions, including specialist performing arts providers, as well as testing delivery models to support the sector.

The reforms will have a positive impact on disadvantaged students, as these qualifications will better support progression into relevant work and study, and make the qualification landscape simpler to navigate.