B

Baroness Twycross (Lab)

Speaking in the House of Lords on 5 March 2026

Debate

Class Inequality in the Arts

Contribution

The apprenticeship piece is a critical part of making sure that it is not just who you know but what your future potential is. We are doing this by focusing on making sure that we get world-class vocational training. As well as apprenticeships, we are doing things such as making sure we have a BRIT School in Bradford, which is opening in 2028. It will provide 500 free places for 16 to 19 year-olds, which will break down the barriers to elite art education. One of the things that comes through the report—which I agree was an interesting, if sobering, read—and some of the narrative around it was that too many children do not know that these careers are open to them, so we are also investing in making sure that there are careers opportunities and advice for young people that get them to know that these careers are open to them. That is the first step to breaking down the barriers we should be breaking down, even before we start looking at increasing the apprenticeship offer. It is no use offering careers if people do not know they exist and do not take them up.

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