North West Minister Hughes pledges regional support
The Minister for the North West, Beverley Hughes, set out five priority areas to ensure a prosperous, sustainable and creative region with opportunities for all during a meeting of the Cabinet in Liverpool yesterday.
Helping new businesses to grow and develop were key on her agenda and building on the success of Liverpool's year as European Capital of Culture was sited as being important to the economy for the region.
The opportunities of Media City to promote creative industries and the visitor economy was also mentioned.
The Minister also said she wanted the focus to be on:
- Strengthening both the urban and rural areas by streamlining regional decision-making
- Getting people back into work quickly and enhancing the skills of those already in work to enable them to sustain their job and to progress
- Harnessing the North West's unique potential to contribute to the development of the UK's renewable energy production and green jobs
Minister for the North West Beverley Hughes, said yesterday at the Cabinet meeting in Liverpool: "Good progress is being made and in response to the economic downturn I have set up a Joint Economic Commission for the North West bringing together key partners in the public, private and voluntary sectors. The JEC is already having an impact and the North West Development Agency has already announced a £200m package of business support."
