98.  We began this inquiry to consider skills shortages in modern planning departments. We quickly discovered that skills shortages were only part of the problem, and that a greater underlying problem was a shortage of planners themselves. This shortage will come as a surprise to no one connected with planning. Perhaps the most surprising, and frustrating, point to arise repeatedly from this inquiry is the fact that labour and skills shortages in planning are so unsurprising. They have been evident for well over a decade but review after review, report after report, recommendation after recommendation have not resulted in their reduction. This must change. Without this capacity, our towns, our cities and our economy will be threatened either by paralysis or chaotic and under-regulated growth.