§ Mr. SimmondsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many sector skills councils are(a) operational and (b) planned for the next three years. [177376]
§ Mr. Ivan LewisWe are making good progress in setting up sector skills councils (SSCs). To date there are 16 licensed SSCs. Plans are well advanced for the development of proposals for a further eight SSCs and, in addition, the SSDA continues to work with a number of other sectors. We currently anticipate that there will be around 23 SSCs in place by the end of the year covering the majority of the work force. Any further additions to the network will depend on employers coming forward with appropriate proposals.