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The English Baccalaureate "contains no creative element" and appears to be preventing pupils from pursuing creative subjects, a Lib Dem peer has said.
Baroness Bonham- Carter said the choice of subjects for students are being narrowed at a time when the "creative industries need creative people and creativity needs to be nurtured".
The new E Bacc sets out a new league table measurement for secondary schools in England, based on how many pupils achieve a good GCSE in English, maths, two sciences, a language and either history or geography.
Critics have complained that the qualification will lead to schools trying to meet the target and limit support for other subjects outside the baccalaureate.
Speaking during question time in the Lords, Baroness Bonham-Carter asked: "The new EBacc contains no creative element at all, and it appears to be stopping young people from pursuing subjects such as art, design and computer science.
"Our thriving creative industries are already seeing a skills shortage. Will the minister explain why the government continues to refuse to revise their position on the EBacc? If they do not, the skills shortage will only get worse."
In response, business minister Baroness Wilcox said the government is "slimming down" the curriculum in ways that enable a spread of accessible required needs for other subjects.
Peers were responding to a question from Baroness Jones on what steps the government are taking to encourage young people to pursue careers in the creative industries.
The Labour peer called on the minister to acknowledge the contribution the creative industries have on the UK economy, providing 1.3 million jobs.
Baroness Jones asked: "What are the government doing to address the fact that informal social networks and unpaid internships are helping children from affluent backgrounds to gain jobs in the sector at the expense of those less well connected?"
In response, the business minister said shared her view of the importance of the creative and cultural industries.
She told peers: "The government are committed to expanding apprenticeships in this sector, which often relies on self-employed and contract work.
"We are providing flexibility in the delivery of apprenticeships to allow for those legitimate variations in working practice.
"We have to bear in mind what we are taking on, from the poet in the attic to the blockbuster moviemakers. It is a very varied group of people."
She added that the government has already urged employers to improve access to internships, and the Creative Industries Council is looking at further improving fair access and providing clearer entry and progression routes to the sector.
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