Education Secretary discusses skills, growth and opportunity at Chamber 1815 Lunch
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More than 200 senior business leaders from across the region gathered at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light last week for the latest 1815 Lunch, hosted by the North East Chamber of Commerce.
The Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP, Secretary of State for Education, and Minister for Women and Equalities, delivered the keynote address focusing on the government’s priorities for the North East and the role of education and skills in driving long-term regional growth.
Reflecting on her North East roots and the values that shape the region, the Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson said, “When I think about home, I think about community. I reflect on what that word means for all of us, not just as a proud Northerner, but as a proud member of this government.
“Because what we want to see as a government is to grow strong communities across the North East and across our country. Communities filled with optimism and opportunity.”
In her speech, the Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson outlined how education, skills and training are central to unlocking growth and opportunity, with projections that by 2030, the UK will need 900,000 new jobs in key sectors such as digital, clean energy and advanced manufacturing.
She added, “Skills are the route to prosperity for employees and for employers alike. A skills system that works for young people is a skills system that works for business.”
The Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson confirmed that the government will shortly publish two major policy papers: a post-16 education and skills white paper designed to create a more cohesive, responsive skills system aligned with the UK’s industrial strategy, and a schools white paper setting out the Government’s vision for raising attainment and driving excellence across the country.
David Gallagher, CEO of NCFE, the event sponsor, said the discussion was a timely reminder of how employers, educators and the government must work hand in hand. David said, “The pace of change in education, technology and the labour market is faster than ever, and we need an agile, responsive system that prepares people for the jobs of the future.
“Partnerships between business and education are vital to ensuring that skills provision reflects real demand, and events like this provide the platform for that dialogue.”
Deb Walton, Chamber president and CFO at Palintest, said, “It was fantastic to welcome so many leaders to our 1815 Lunch and to hear directly from the Education Secretary about her ambitions for the North East.
“The conversation reinforced what our members tell us every day, that skills are central to business success, growth and opportunity. Bringing together employers, educators and policymakers in forums like this is exactly how we can turn those ambitions into action.”
Following the event, John McCabe, chief executive of the Chamber, said, “Having the Education Secretary join our members for such an open discussion on skills, growth and opportunity underlines the value of regional voices in shaping national policy.
“The themes we heard today – collaboration, investment and long-term planning – sit at the heart of our Unlocking the North East Economy policy plan and our work on the Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIP) for both North of Tyne and Tees Valley.
“Skills are the foundation for opportunity, prosperity and stronger communities, and our region stands ready to lead the way.”
The 1815 Lunch took place at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland AFC, on Friday 3 October 2025.
The event was sponsored by NCFE and supported by associate sponsor of large business, Newcastle College.
Ends
To read the full transcript ofThe Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP’s speech, please click here.
Photo 1: The Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP
Photo 2 (l-r): John McCabe, NECC, Suzanne Slater, NCFE, The Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP, Deb Walton, NECC and Rhiannon Bearne, NECC
Photo 3 (l-r): Rhiannon Bearne, NECC, David Gallagher, NCFE, Deb Walton, NECC, The Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP, and John McCabe, NECC
