But some of the statistics are so stark in the story that they tell that I am determined to give them another airing, today. 5.7 million British adults of working age have no qualifications at all. Missed opportunities for personal satisfaction through their contribution to economic development and the financial security that this can bring as well as self esteem and community stability are only part of the story. And, if we do not move fast and effectively, there is a whole generation of younger people who will form the basis for similar statistics in the future. Ladies and gentlemen, I know that you will join me in condemning these figures.
Real change has to begin soon.
And an incremental change will not be sufficient, no matter how laudable. I believe that the Learning and Skills Council has been created as a key player in bringing about the necessary transformation. We do not start from a blank sheet of paper. Much good work has been done and successes registered against the names of those organisations whose roles the Learning and Skills Council will take over and merge into one unitary body. TECs and the FEFC will leave behind them a foundation on which the Learning and Skills Council can build with confidence.