On 20 July, the Prime Minister spoke to António Costa, President of the European Council, and agreed their respective teams would work closely towards a UK-EU Summit later in the year; the agenda has not yet been agreed.

This Government is committed to supporting the Creative Industries, including the crafts sector. Our UK-wide Creative Industries Sector Plan features international engagement as a core component, recognising the importance of exports, inward investment and global collaboration to the sector’s continued success.

The Government is also committed to supporting more UK crafts businesses to become export-ready, access new markets and benefit from trade agreements, although we are alive to the barriers many face. We are continuing to work across government to explore how we can better support the sector's needs, including improving awareness of existing mobility schemes; identifying where clearer export guidance may be helpful; and considering opportunities for future engagement with our EU counterparts on issues such as cultural exchange.

In response to an assessment of the latest available scientific and medical data dealing with exposure to lead and the impact of the current permitted levels in the blood of employees, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recently consulted on proposed changes to the Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002. This gathered evidence to assess the impact of revised exposure levels on the working environment, including the heritage workforce and stained glass artists. To ensure the historic sector is fully considered, HSE engaged with heritage organisations like Historic England and the Institute of Conservation (ICON) stained glass group, and will discuss proposals with DWP and DCMS before finalising reforms.

Heritage skills, such as in stained glass, are an important part of our country’s heritage. The Government is investing significantly in apprenticeships through the Growth and Skills Levy, and in arts and heritage capital projects during this Parliament with nearly £200m of new funding over four years to support heritage.

This capital investment will support the pipeline of heritage construction projects and provide training and career opportunities in heritage skills. The Heritage Minister convened skills roundtables with the sector to encourage and support their commitment to building a sustainable skills pipeline.

DCMS is in discussions with Skills England, the Department for Education and the Department for Work and Pensions to consider how the Growth and Skills Levy continues to support heritage-specific occupations.

Stained glass painting and making has been submitted to the UK’s new living heritage inventory, which if approved will provide formal recognition and aid in safeguarding this traditional skill.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is currently consulting on proposed changes to the Control of Lead at Work Regulations (CLAW) 2002 to enable the impact of these proposed levels in the working environment to be fully assessed. HSE has also been engaging with the heritage sector about potential changes to CLAW since early 2025 and is continuing to engage with a range of businesses.

The Government is committed to supporting heritage crafts such as stained glass window making. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is having discussions with Skills England, the Department for Education and the Department for Work and Pensions to ensure heritage-specific occupations are considered in the Growth and Skills Levy.

DCMS is in discussions with Skills England on ways to support training pathways, such as the Level 4 Stained Glass Craftsperson apprenticeship. Additionally, stained glass painting and making has been submitted to the UK’s new living heritage inventory, which if approved will provide formal recognition and aid in safeguarding this traditional skill.

We have a current level 2 apprenticeship standard Stonemason which has 247 starts on programme. York college and the Building Crafts College, London, are the main providers of the apprenticeship and they have close links to York Minster and many historical buildings around London. We are working with the sector to explore the potential for a L3 Stonemason apprenticeship.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 27 May 2026 to Question UIN 2582.

Information regarding the training providers which deliver the Level 2 Stonemason apprenticeship standard is published here https://findapprenticeshiptraining.apprenticeships.education.gov.uk/courses/637/providers.

There are four providers: York College, Bath College, Building Crafts College and Moulton College.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is currently consulting on proposed changes to the Control of Lead at Work Regulations (CLAW) 2002 to enable the impact of these proposed levels in the working environment to be fully assessed. HSE have also been engaging with the heritage sector about potential changes to CLAW since early 2025 and are continuing to engage with a range of businesses to inform this work, including representatives of the heritage sector, prior to making any final recommendations.

On 20 October 2025, alongside the publication of the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper, the department published a consultation on post-16 level 3 and below pathways, which closed on 12 January 2026. As part of our consultation, we have been engaging with the sector on transition arrangements. We will set out our response to the consultation in due course.

We will update the information on qualifications funded in the 2026/27 academic year as soon as possible.

The Government is committed to supporting the creative industries, including the craft sector, which is why we put them front and centre of our Industrial Strategy, including publishing the Creative Industries Sector Plan last year. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is working closely with all other relevant government departments to support the craft sector and deliver on the Sector Plan. DCMS currently has no plans to form a cross-departmental group for craft, however DCMS and Skills England jointly run a Creative Sector Skills Forum, which has a rolling cast list and includes representation for the crafts sector depending on the agenda. This includes the Crafts Council, Heritage Crafts and Officials from DWP and DfE as needed.

The Minister for Museums, Heritage Gambling is not a member of the Construction Skills Mission Board (CSMB). The CSMB is an industry-led group, consisting of construction senior leaders, small business representatives, and union representatives. Officials representing five supporting departments (the Department for Work and Pensions, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Department for Business and Trade, Department for Education, and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero) observe meetings of the Board with relevant ministers joining when necessary. Historic England, Government advisors on the historic environment, advises the board on consideration on heritage skills via the CSMB sub committee on Repair, Maintenance and Infrastructure.

Employer satisfaction with apprenticeships is very high: 83% of employers are satisfied with their apprenticeship programme; and 77% report improved productivity.

The government is investing an additional £725m to transform the apprenticeship levy into a growth and skills levy, and provides a range of financial support to small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) in all sectors to take on apprentices.

We pay £1,000 to both employers and training providers when they take on apprentices aged under 19, or 19-to-24-year-old apprentices who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or have been, or are, in care. Employers are also not required to pay anything towards employees’ National Insurance for all apprentices aged up to age 25 (when the employee’s wage is below £50,270 a year).

Additionally, the government will fully fund apprenticeship training for non-levy paying employers (essentially SMEs) for all eligible people aged under 25 from the start of the next academic year in August. At the moment, this only happens for apprentices aged 16 to 21 and apprentices aged 22-24 who have an EHCP or have been, or are, in local authority care.

To help prospective apprentices find apprenticeship opportunities, they can search and apply for apprenticeships on our Find an apprenticeship service which is used by thousands of employers.

Employer satisfaction with apprenticeships is very high: 83% of employers are satisfied with their apprenticeship programme; and 77% report improved productivity.

The government is investing an additional £725m to transform the apprenticeship levy into a growth and skills levy, and provides a range of financial support to small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) in all sectors to take on apprentices.

We pay £1,000 to both employers and training providers when they take on apprentices aged under 19, or 19-to-24-year-old apprentices who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or have been, or are, in care. Employers are also not required to pay anything towards employees’ National Insurance for all apprentices aged up to age 25 (when the employee’s wage is below £50,270 a year).

Additionally, the government will fully fund apprenticeship training for non-levy paying employers (essentially SMEs) for all eligible people aged under 25 from the start of the next academic year in August. At the moment, this only happens for apprentices aged 16 to 21 and apprentices aged 22-24 who have an EHCP or have been, or are, in local authority care.

To help prospective apprentices find apprenticeship opportunities, they can search and apply for apprenticeships on our Find an apprenticeship service which is used by thousands of employers.

Employer satisfaction with apprenticeships is very high: 83% of employers are satisfied with their apprenticeship programme; and 77% report improved productivity.

The government is investing an additional £725m to transform the apprenticeship levy into a growth and skills levy, and provides a range of financial support to small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) in all sectors to take on apprentices.

We pay £1,000 to both employers and training providers when they take on apprentices aged under 19, or 19-to-24-year-old apprentices who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or have been, or are, in care. Employers are also not required to pay anything towards employees’ National Insurance for all apprentices aged up to age 25 (when the employee’s wage is below £50,270 a year).

Additionally, the government will fully fund apprenticeship training for non-levy paying employers (essentially SMEs) for all eligible people aged under 25 from the start of the next academic year in August. At the moment, this only happens for apprentices aged 16 to 21 and apprentices aged 22-24 who have an EHCP or have been, or are, in local authority care.

To help prospective apprentices find apprenticeship opportunities, they can search and apply for apprenticeships on our Find an apprenticeship service which is used by thousands of employers.

The government recognises the importance of heritage craft skills and supports their development through apprenticeships, vocational qualifications and partnerships with sector bodies.

Higher education institutions in England are autonomous and independent, and so they are responsible for determining the courses they offer. The government does not intervene in academic content. However, we encourage collaboration between universities, further education providers and heritage organisations to embed practical craft skills where appropriate, including through vocational and foundation degrees.

The independent Curriculum and Assessment Review final report and the government response were both published on 5 November 2025.

The response included a commitment to revise the art and design programmes of study to exemplify the knowledge and skills that pupils should develop, including through their own creative practice, and to encourage teaching of a broader range of artists and media. This will include consideration of craft, which is covered in the existing national curriculum.

The Department of Education, and the Department for Works and Pension have overall responsibility for devising and delivering skills policy across Government. The Department for Culture Media and Sport works across Government to ensure heritage crafts and skills are appropriately considered in policy.

Historic England, Government’s advisor on heritage and Arms Length Body of DCMS, advises the Government on heritage skills and craft policy and contributes to a number of cross Government working groups, including the Construction Skills Delivery Group. DCMS has no plans to appoint further experts.

Whilst we do not have specific plans relating to those schemes, the Government is committed to supporting young people in accessing the skills they need to thrive, including in heritage skills. The Department for Education, which is responsible for skills and education, is working with secondary schools and colleges to develop their careers programmes, with the input of over 3,500 business volunteers. This provides young people with insights into a range of jobs and careers across all sectors, including heritage crafts and skills.

DCMS, working with our arms length bodies and wider government are introducing school aged children to future heritage careers. Through Government funding, Historic England delivers the Heritage Schools Programme which brings local heritage to schools across England, broadening access to local history and raising awareness of the many future job opportunities in the heritage sector. The National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) funds a range of programmes that support heritage crafts, high-quality training and paid training placements in heritage careers. This includes the Future Heritage Leadership programme, launched in November 2025 to help young adults (18 - 30 year olds) get into the heritage sector with a strong focus on those from diverse backgrounds.

On 12 January 2026, the department’s consultation on post-16 pathways at level 3 and below closed. We are currently reviewing the responses and will provide a government response in due course and set out how we will transition to the new system.