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National Skills Academy for Creative and Cultural Skills: Thurrock

Volume 498: debated on Wednesday 28 October 2009

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what discussions he had with the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills during the summer adjournment on funding provision for the National Skills Academy for Creative and Cultural Skills in Thurrock; and if he will make a statement. (295801)

I have raised this issue with the further education Minister, my hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff, West (Kevin Brennan), over the recess and we are hopeful that following approval by the LSC Regional Committee on 14 October and due assessment by the LSC’s national Capital Committee on 2 November, if successful, the National Skills Academy will proceed to implementation.

Furthermore, CLG officials have been in discussion with BIS and LSC throughout the recess to progress the National Skills Academy in Thurrock which will be a key strand of the Government’s wider investment in the £60 million Royal Opera House Production Park, developing technical skills in the performing arts in the run up to the 2012 Olympics.