Government Offices | North West

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Joint Economic Commission

The new Joint Economic Commission for the North West met for the first time on 3 November. This brings together key people from the public and private sector in the region. At our first meeting we started to identify issues on which we could take action; including apprenticeships and procurement. The Commission will meet on a regular basis to look at how we can work together to ensure that the North West economy emerges from the current downturn stronger than before.

Council of Regional Ministers

The Council of Regional Ministers is having regular meetings, chaired by Liam Byrne. This is proving an extremely useful forum to monitor and discuss current economic climate. We had a very productive discussion covering a range of issues including the impact of the economic circumstances in our different regions and what action we can take to deal with this.

Merseyside authorities sign up to Skills Pledge

I was pleased attend the Leaders’ meeting in Merseyside last week to see the local authorities sign up to the Skills Pledge. Employers who sign up to the pledge commit themselves to supporting staff with few or no qualifications to develop English and Maths skills and to gain the equivalent of up to 5 GCSEs. This initiative can really make a difference to people and I’m delighted the North West is leading the way with 27 authorities in the region signed up.

Economic Regional Framework Event

Last month I helped launch the Economic Regional Framework at the Northwest Regional Development Agency’s annual meeting in Liverpool. The Prime Minister and Treasury Ministers Yvette Cooper MP and Jane Kennedy MP also attended the launch as part of a full day visit to Merseyside. This document was produced jointly by the NWDA and the Government. It outlines the current economic situation in the North West and sets out how we will work with the NWDA and other agencies to support families and businesses.

Meeting with North West MPs to discuss 2012 Olympics

Following the fantastic achievements of our athletes in the Olympic Games in Beijing this year, I met with MPs from the North West to discuss what the 2012 Olympic Games will mean for the North West and how we can make sure that the benefits are transferred to people in the most disadvantaged areas. We have the highest number of listed pre-Games training camps outside of the South East and we must use the Olympics as a catalyst to increase opportunities and participation in sport and to increase volunteering in the region.

Meeting with North West MPs and the Director of BT

Last week I met with MPs from the North West and Mike Blackburn, the Regional Director of BT to discuss how high speed broadband could be rolled out in the North West.

Regional Spatial Strategy

Many of you will have seen the publication of the Regional Spatial Strategy for the North West of England. The final strategy was published following an in depth consultation with the public and has important implications for the region. It sets out how we can work together to deliver on investment, housing and the economy. It provides the spatial plan for the development of the region, and the policy framework for employment, housing, transport and the environment.

Tour of new schools in the North West

I was out and about with some of my fellow ministers last month to mark the opening of 180 new or refurbished schools across the country. In this region, I saw some tremendous new facilities in Greater Manchester and east Lancashire and it was clear that an enormous amount of hard work and dedication had gone into getting these ready to receive pupils for the start of term.

Visit to Wheels 2 Work and Green Apprenticeships

In August I met with Green Apprenticeships and Wheels 2 Work – two initiatives that are doing some great work in tackling worklessness in the region. Green Apprenticeships offers environmental apprenticeships to disaffected young people and Wheels 2 Work provides transport for those who are finding it difficult to access training, employment and educational opportunities, due to lack of suitable public or private transport. I enjoyed my go on one of Wheels 2 Work’s mopeds and it was really encouraging to hear at first hand about the work that is being done and to see what support is being given to people looking to get into employment.

Launch of 4NW

The Regional Leaders forum for the North West of England was launched at a conference in July. Although I was unable to attend the conference in person I was pleased to have the opportunity to speak at the event via video message. I look forward to continuing to work with them in future on the Sub National Review.

Annual Crime Statistics

The publication of the annual crime statistics for England and Wales showed that recorded crime has fallen by 12 per cent in the North West over the last year - the largest overall reduction in crime of all the regions. This is a fantastic achievement and is testament to the hard work of the police and communities in tackling the issues surrounding crime.

Cumbria launches Dignity in Care campaign

I was happy to support the launch of Cumbria’s Dignity in Care Campaign last week. The campaign aims to further improve health and social care and community care services and to ensure that people receive a service that takes into account their individual circumstances. Cumbria has made a lot of progress on this and I wish them every success in the campaign.

Greater Manchester Challenge Visits to Bury and Rochdale

I’ve just visited two further LA’s in my role as Chair of the Greater Manchester Challenge (GMC): Broadoak Sports College in Bury and Marland Community Primary School in Rochdale. Both visits provided a good opportunity to meet with parents and children from the local community as well as representatives from the LA to discuss the purpose of the GMC and the importance of raising education standards and aspirations in all schools across the boroughs.

Joint economic commission for the North West agrees actions on economic downturn
Regional Minister Beverley Hughes has announced seven actions to ensure that the North West emerges from the economic downturn stronger than before. >>>

Regional minister highlights importance of a skilled workforce as merseyside authorities sign 'skills pledge'
Minister for the North West Beverley Hughes has highlighted the importance of a better skilled workforce to the success of the North West economy. >>>

Regional Minister forms economic 'Supergroup'
Regional Minister Beverley Hughes is to bring together key players from the public and private sectors to fight the North West's corner during the economic downturn. >>>

Beverley Hughes attends first Council of Regional Ministers
Helping savers, small businesses and homeowners in the North West through the worldwide economic problems was top of the agenda at the first meeting of the Council of Regional Ministers today. >>>

New focus on the economy for North West Regional Minister Beverley Hughes
North West Regional Minister Beverley Hughes will play a leading role in the Regional Economic Council announced by the Prime Minister. >>>

RSS
A new regional strategy that directs long-term housing and economic growth and environmental protection in the North West was announced by Communities Minister Baroness Andrews today. >>>

Tour of schools
More than 180 new or refurbished schools are opening this term - the highest number for at least 30 years, including cutting-edge school buildings and academies. >>>

Launch of Regional Economic Framework
Today the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) welcomed Treasury Ministers the Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP and the Rt Hon Jane Kennedy MP, Regional Minister Beverley Hughes, MP’s and 100 business... >>>

Dramatic Crime Reductions in the North West
Crime has fallen by 12 per cent in the North West over the last year, the largest overall reduction in crime in all the regions of England and Wales, new figures published today show. >>>

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