§ Geraldine SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) whether there is a skills shortage in the North West Region for(a) clowns, (b) tightrope walkers, (c) jugglers, (d) stilts performers, (e) unicyclists and (f) other circus performers; [177132]
(2) what his assessment is of the need to train people in circus skills in the North West Region. [177133]
§ Mr. Ivan LewisSector Skills Councils (SSCs) have the remit for assessing skills needs in their sector. The Creative and Cultural Industries SSC (CCISSC), which is in development, will cover circus performers. The SSC is currently reviewing the need for Creative Apprenticeships within the sector and as part of this review the needs of the circus industry will be assessed.
Regionally, the NW Development Agency, working in partnership with stakeholders in the region, has the lead responsibility for developing and taking forward the economic strategy for the North West. The strategy has a strong sectoral focus concentrating on those sectors of importance and potential importance to the North West economy. Tourism is one of the priority sectors in the North West.
While touring circuses bring pleasure to many, in determining the region's tourism priorities no assessment has been made of the contribution they make to the North West economy and there are no plans to do so.