30.07.2026: The House of Lords debated the impact of reforms to Level 3 qualifications on the creative industries, following a debate secured by Baroness Keeley.  

In her opening speech in the debate on July 23, Baroness Keeley said: “I will argue for four specific adjustments to the Government’s proposals. First, the Government should be willing to keep existing successful vocational level 3 qualifications.

“Secondly, they should work with industry and educators to develop larger V-levels that meet the needs of the creative industries.

“Thirdly, they should consider whether the T-level model can work to address the technical skills needed in the music sector, and with industry and educators to develop music T-levels that are appropriate for the sector. Fourthly, they should take urgent action to address the decline in A-level music.”

Lord Knight questioned how these new qualifications could be applied to a freelance environment where no two career paths are the same. He said: “T-levels are, by design, technical qualifications, built to prepare a student for a specific occupation, with a narrow specialism at their core.

“The craft and design T-level’s occupational specialisms map to single, narrow trade standards: ceramicist, bespoke furniture-maker, garment-maker and jewellery-maker. Each is precise and each is far narrower than the breadth that a young person needs to build a creative career. Practitioners move fluidly across creative, technical and entrepreneurial work over a single career—what the sector calls a polymathic, portfolio-based working life.”

Responding on behalf of the Government, Baroness Jacqui Smith acknowledged the concerns raised and confirmed that they are being considered as the new qualifications are developed.

She announced that a new Creative Advisory Board will help shape future qualifications and confirmed that no existing qualifications will be withdrawn before 2030. 

UK Music welcomes the commitment to technical and vocational qualifications from the Government. However, there are a number of concerns about the current approach and its impact on young people wishing to study music, and on the skills and talent pipeline that feeds our world-leading music industry. Any new qualifications need to be co-produced with the industry they are aiming to serve. They need to equip learners with the right skills and are ready to face the challenges of a mainly freelance and portfolio career.  

You can read the full debate here or watch it from 3:30pm here.