§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many people were employed in the manufacturing sector in the north-west in each of the last five years. [79576]
§ Alan JohnsonThe numbers of people employed in manufacturing in the north-west during each of the last five years for which data is available from the Office of National Statistics are as follows:
Year 1996 529,351 1997 532,200 1998 529,604 1999 514,114 2000 499,020
§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what support and assistance she is providing to the manufacturing sector in the north-west. [79575]
§ Alan JohnsonMuch of the work undertaken in the north-west is underpinned by our recently published Manufacturing Strategy in which we have identified several key pillars to assist manufacturing companies in fulfilling their potential in the UK.
The North West Development Agency (NWDA) together with regional partners are charged with taking forward Government support and assistance in the north-west. The NWDA is promoting and sharing best practice through industry cluster programmes for the aerospace, food & drink and chemicals sectors and others. NWDA delivers the supply chain programme which helps and encourages north-west businesses to use north-west suppliers as well as assisting small businesses devise recovery plans should their main customer reduce production or move from the area.
We have established the UK's first Regional Centre for Manufacturing Excellence in Manchester. The Centre provides the DTI's Manufacturing Advisory Service—the practical, hands-on support manufacturers need. Two Innovative Manufacturing Research Centres are based in the University of Liverpool, making a significant contribution to the global competitiveness of UK manufacturing.
385W Skills and Employment issues are recognised amongst other issues as an important factor in improving productivity and the NWDA has led on the coordination of a Framework for Regional Employment and Skills action (FRESA).