Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has had discussions with Cabinet colleagues on routes into the creative sector for young people in West Yorkshire.

The Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) works closely with the Department for Education (DfE) on skills policy affecting the creative sector. This includes understanding routes into the sector for young people across the country, such as apprenticeships. As part of the DfE’s work on Growth and Skills Levy reform, new shorter apprenticeships will be available from August 2025 (subject to the legislative timetable) as a first step towards a more flexible levy.

In West Yorkshire in particular, Bradford and Kirklees have been priority areas for the Creative Careers Programme, which is designed to raise young people’s awareness of creative careers and pathways into them by providing specialist advice and information. By providing £3 million to expand the programme, DCMS will continue to boost opportunities and support for young people from backgrounds that are under-represented in the creative sector.

The Secretary of State visited Bradford in September last year for the programme launch of UK City of Culture 2025, which included speaking to members of the Bradford 2025 Youth Panel. Bradford 2025's work with young people, including an apprenticeship scheme, is encouraging the next generation of creatives with 6,000 training opportunities expected across the district. Arts Council England also provides funding to a range of organisations in West Yorkshire that supports the creative education provision for its children and young people, including In Harmony Opera North and Northern Ballet, which offer pathways into music and dance.

At the Creative Industries Growth Summit in January, the Secretary of State announced West Yorkshire as a priority region for the Creative Industries, and one of six Mayoral Combined Authorities to receive additional funding to be approved as part of the upcoming Spending Review.