EMPLOYERS across the region had the chance to put a Government minister on the spot yesterday.

Ivan Lewis, minister for adult learning and skills, was at the North-East Skills Summit at the Samsung Centre, near Billingham, to hear from bosses on how to tackle the region's skills shortages.

The results of the questions and answers session, which also looked out how to develop a world-class workforce in the North-East, will soon form part of a Government-wide skills strategy to be published in the spring.

Mr Lewis said: "The North-East faces significant skills challenges which we have to overcome. This is essential for future economic prosperity in the region and improved standards of living.

"We need more people in more businesses in the North-East with the knowledge and skills to develop high value products and services and the innovation to match global competition."

Under discussion at yesterday's conference were some stark facts facing North-East employers, including evidence that one in four people in the region have poor literacy and numeracy skills.

The region also has the lowest earnings figures in England with employment projected to grow at a lower rate than the rest of the country.

Mr Lewis also visited a chemical process training plant in South Bank.