HC Deb 09 May 2000 vol 349 cc362-3W
36. Kali Mountford

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the work of the regional development agency in the Yorkshire and Humberside region. [120176]

Ms Beverley Hughes

The Government have set Yorkshire Forward the challenging task of leading the revitalisation of the Yorkshire and Humber economy. The first step towards this goal was made with the production of a Regional Economic Strategy. The strategy, a well structured framework for promoting economic development and competitiveness in the region, was welcomed by the Government earlier this year.

Yorkshire Forward is now working with other partners to develop a series of Action Plans to take forward key actions in the Strategy. At the same time, Yorkshire Forward has made good use of its programme funding to secure new investment in the region, to create new jobs and to address the skills gap.