Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Sherlock on 15 June (HL505), what progress the Health and Safety Executive have made with their consultation; whether they have ensured women of fertile age are included in the consultees; and when they expect to publish their decision regarding any changes to the Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002 (SI 2002/2672).

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has recently consulted widely on proposed changes to the lead in blood exposure levels in the Control of Lead at Work Regulations (CLAW) 2002. The consultation concluded on 7 June 2026, and included consideration of the impact on different categories of workers including women of reproductive capacity and the operability of any proposed changes.

HSE will continue its analysis and engagement to better understand the impact of the proposed levels in the coming months, prior to making any further recommendations for reform. Since early 2025, HSE has been engaging with a range of businesses especially the heritage sector, which employs a high proportion of women, about possible changes to CLAW to inform this work.