§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Lord McIntosh of Haringey)My honourable friend the Economic Secretary (Mr John Healey) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
2004 Spending Review: Meeting Regional Priorities is being published today and copies are available in the Libraries of the House.
This document meets the Treasury's commitment to set out how the 2004 Spending Review, announced to Parliament on 12 July 2004, responds to the issues and priorities identified in the regional emphasis documents jointly prepared by the Government Office, regional development agency and regional chamber in each English region.
The document reaffirms the Government's commitment to improving regional economic performance. It summarises the next steps the Government are taking to ensure that the evidence base supports the Government's regional policy agenda, and sets out the SR04 response to input from the regions as well as plans for devolving further resources and responsibilities in every region.