Lord Mandelson in region to discuss economy vision

12 Mar 2010, 10:04

Michael Hunt

The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation & Skills was visiting Manchester today to discuss the Government's policy on regional economic development, as well as seeing how this has delivered jobs, skills, investment and growth for the city.

During a speech at the University of Manchester he outlined the significant role that regional economies will play in the future economic success of the nation. He also focused on the importance of renewing and rebuilding Britain's infrastructure to ensure the country remains competitive in the global market.

Lord Peter Mandelson also toured Nanoco, one of the successful businesses to come out of Manchester University's Core Technology Facility.

He is also officially opening one of the UK's most advanced welding schools in Salford, which will train more than 1,000 people a year. Following this, he will tour Media City UK in Salford Quays.

To celebrate Britain's world class science and manufacturing industries Lord Mandelson will also visit The Big Bang, the UK's national fair celebrating young people's achievements in science and engineering.

While at the fair he will present a number of prizes including UK Young Scientist of the Year and UK Young Engineer of the Year.

Within his speech at Manchester University, he said: "Manchester has been one of the power houses of our economy since the industrial revolution and today is no different.

"Government is acting to ensure that growth is spread across the UK so that every part of Britain shares in the recovery.

"This is a cardinal principle of the Government's policies. Not just because it is a question of basic equity, but because the environmental and social pressures created by an economy skewed towards the South are not sustainable.

"Britain's regional economies, like the economy as a whole, are utterly dependent on sound infrastructure. This is a vital enabler of our economic recovery and future growth and regenerating our infrastructure as a growth plan in its own right."

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