It is a real pleasure to speak in this debate on the importance of skills. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Tipton and Wednesbury (Antonia Bance) on securing a debate on this subject. The Minister for Skills, Baroness Smith, has recently laid a skills Bill before the other House, which aims to improve the coherence and accessibility of the skills system across all ages and backgrounds. The UK's performance at the WorldSkills event in Lyon last month highlights the commitment to excellence among young learners who won two silver and two bronze medals along with 12 medallions for achieving internationally recognised standards. The minister acknowledges that the current system is incoherent, leading to widespread skills shortages which hinder economic growth. She emphasises the need to create a clear, flexible, high-quality skills system that breaks down barriers to opportunity and drives economic growth while supporting the Government's five missions: economic growth, opportunity for all, a stronger NHS, safer streets, and clean energy. Skills England will provide an authoritative assessment of national and regional skills needs in the economy now and in the future, aligning with the upcoming industrial strategy. The minister also mentions local skills improvement plans (LSIPs) that engage thousands of local businesses to identify skills needs, supporting providers to respond collaboratively through a £165 million local skills improvement fund. An example is Dudley College of Technology receiving £2.1 million for an expansion in regional electrification and engineering technical training. Additionally, the minister encourages colleges like Truro and Penwith College to utilise their full adult skills fund allocations. The response concludes by reiterating the importance of Skills England in ensuring a highly trained workforce necessary for national, regional, and local skills needs of the next decade.