A new organisation is to be set up in Swindon to boost jobs prospects for its residents.

Skills Swindon will hope to work with employers and education authorities to make sure young people and those in adult education and training are offered opportunities to get the skills the economy needs.

The move is part of a partnership between the local authority, education institutions, and businesses to ensure Swindonians have the skills needed for the area’s developing economy.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announced the formation of Skills England last week.

Mr Starmer said: “Our skills system is in a mess, which is why we are transforming our approach to meet skills needs over the coming decades.

“They will help to deliver our number one mission as a government, to kickstart economic growth, by opening up new opportunities for young people and enabling British businesses to recruit more home-grown talent.

“From construction to IT, healthcare to engineering, our success as a country depends on delivering highly skilled workforces for the long-term. Skills England will put in place the framework needed to achieve that goal while reducing our reliance on workers from overseas.”

That was welcomed by the leader of Swindon Borough Council, Councillor Jim Robbins, who said: “The new Labour government has already begun the work to deliver the change Swindon needs – and Skills England is a crucial part of the national mission to deliver growth and get Britain moving again.

“The government has correctly identified the need for local and central government to work together with employers, training providers and unions to ensure that young people have the skills they need to succeed.

“Swindon Borough Council will grasp this opportunity with both hands. We will do everything we can to get the most out of Skills England – and that means getting to work with local partners now so our community can harness this programme to its full potential.

“Here in Swindon, we are already working with our further education and higher education providers alongside Academies and Businesses.

"We are keen to bring together all of the hard work carried out in this area together under the umbrella of Skills Swindon to ensure that we can maximise the support that Swindon can gain from this new body.”

Cllr Robbins said the local body would "bring together all of the stakeholders operating in the town to make sure we can maximise the potential impact of the government plans and help Swindonians meet their potential in line with our missions.”