Tourism minister Shaun Woodward met delegates from the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism sectors on 26 October for the third England Skills Summit.

The DCMS and industry representatives discussed the Skills Needs Assessment publication released by People 1st earlier this year, which underlines significant skills gaps in the hospitality, tourism and leisure industries.

The summit was hosted by People 1st, the industry’s Sector Skills Council and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

People 1st will now develop a National Skills Strategy by January 2007 for England, which – combined with those for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – will lead to a Sector Skills Agreement between employers, the government and education to address the existing shortage of skills in these sectors. Details: www.people1st.co.uk

Photograph: Neal Young of Gala Coral Group, Wisdom, Woodward, Sara Edwards of the Maybourne Hotel Group and Sean Taggart of theAlbatross Travel Group