Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of proposed changes to the Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002 on the conservation of historic churches and listed buildings in West Dorset.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has recently consulted on proposed changes to the lead in blood exposure levels in the Control of Lead at Work Regulations (CLAW) 2002. The consultation has allowed HSE to gain more detailed evidence to help better understand the impact of the proposed levels in the working environment. This includes considering the impact on different workers and the operability of any proposed changes.

HSE is currently analysing the consultation responses prior to making any further recommendations for reform. Since early 2025, HSE has been engaging with the heritage sector about possible changes to CLAW and are continuing to engage with a range of businesses to inform this work.