Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of level 3 qualification reform on participation in creative education among under-represented young people, including the potential impact on the number of young people who are not in education, employment or training.

The department’s qualification reforms aim to widen participation through clearer pathways, including new V Levels, the expansion of T Levels, and clearer level 2 routes through Occupational and Further Study Pathways.

We intend to develop V Levels in creative sectors for first teaching in 2030/31, and content will be consulted on before it is confirmed.

We are conducting exploratory work on content for potential creative T Levels, which includes extensive engagement with employers, providers and higher education institutions, as well as testing potential delivery models to support the sector.

We have already announced reforms to the delivery of industry placements, allowing for greater provider responsibility for determining appropriate delivery methods which should facilitate placements in creative settings

When designing the new pathways, we will consider learners who have special educational needs and disabilities, at risk of being not in employment, education or training, or who face other barriers to education to ensure that V Levels and level 2 routes are inclusive by design.

These changes aim to improve accessibility and participation, particularly for underrepresented groups.