(RMEM) Phil Hope Attends First Council Of Regional Ministers
| Published: 20th October 2008 10:22 |
Helping savers, small businesses and homeowners in the East Midlands through the worldwide economic problems was top of the agenda at the first meeting of the Council of Regional Ministers today.
The Council brought together the ministers for the English regions as well as ministers for Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales to look at what help the regions need and what Whitehall can do to provide it.
Phil Hope, Minister for the East Midlands said:
"As the economic challenge moves from the City of London to the streets of Britain, our response must be nationwide. We're determined to make sure that regions are centre-stage in planning our national response. The Government has already taken steps to support families across the country during these tougher times, now we're looking at how to deal with more local issues. Crucially we want to make sure the views of families and small businesses are heard at the top tables."
"As Minister for the East Midlands it's part of my job to be a voice for the region in Whitehall and that's what the Council of Regional Ministers is all about - making sure central government knows what the public, the business community and third sector organisations in the East Midlands need to get by.
"The council will also ensure that the East Midlands' strategy to cope with the challenges of tougher times is successful. This may involve bringing all parties together quickly at a local level to respond to local economic shocks and will help us remove barriers to delivering critical local services and job creation - such as fast-tracking infrastructure projects."
The Council of Regional Ministers is chaired by Minister for the Cabinet Office Liam Byrne and Chief Secretary to the Treasury Yvette Cooper. It will meet every two weeks and will feed its findings up to the National Economic Council, which was set up by the Prime Minister earlier this month.
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