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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 20 June 2023 to Question 188843, how many (a) children and (b) young people with a disability engaged with the arts in (a) 2020-21, (b) 2021-22 and (c) 2022-23.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) does not hold data for the years requested. For the year 2020/21, this is due to DCMS's Taking Part Survey (which previously collected engagement data for children and young people) being disrupted by the pandemic and the ability to carry out face-to-face fieldwork.

In 2021, the Taking Part Survey was replaced by DCMS’s Participation Survey. This captures participation data for people aged 16 and over in England, and also asks respondents if they have a long-standing illness or disability.

The individual data set for 2021/22 does not allow us to investigate arts participation by age and disability; only by age or disability. Participation Survey data for 2022/23 have not yet been published. Publication is scheduled for 9.30 a.m. on 20 July.

DCMS is currently undertaking a pilot survey for young people aged between 10 and 19, which should allow us to look at access to some cultural activities for children and young people with a disability. We will publish data on this pilot survey later this year, and will review the utility and impact of the survey before a decision is made on whether and how to continue it following that pilot phase.