National Skills Academies: Thurrock

Andrew Mackinlay
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills on the establishment of the National Skills Academy for Creative and Cultural Skills in Thurrock.

Mr. Malik
[holding answer 29 June 2009]: The Thames Gateway Skills Envoy, Sir David Melville, who reports jointly to Communities and Local Government and Business, Innovation and Skills Ministers, recently met Geoff Russell, Chief Executive of the Learning and Skills Council, to discuss investment in skills in the Thames Gateway. Sir David emphasised to Mr. Russell the important contribution investment in skills in the Thames Gateway makes to the Government’s objectives for the area, in particular holistic regeneration in places such as Thurrock.

The National Skills Academy for Creative and Cultural Skills has submitted a proposal to the Learning and Skills Council seeking capital grant support for a proposed new training centre. The proposal is now subject to a prioritisation exercise being conducted by the council. An announcement about this is expected shortly.