It was all part of a question time session at Corby Business Academy, led by the Regional Minister with panel members from the Regional Economic Cabinet, which for the first time met in Corby earlier today at North Northamptonshire Development Company (NNDC).
The Cabinet was set up last year to help provide strong and effective leadership to the region, during the global downturn. Issues such as the recent Budget were discussed and its implications for the region. Phil Hope also met with members of the local business community at a breakfast meeting at the same venue.
More than 30 students aged 16-18 from the Academy, which specialises in teaching business and enterprise, fired questions at the panel; ranging from the credit crunch, jobs, interest rates, the recent Budget and whether we should join the Euro.
Chairing the panel was Jacquelene Tsiga, 17, head girl at Corby Business Academy. She is studying A-levels in travel and tourism, business and biology.
The Minister was also grilled for the latest edition of the student magazine, ‘In Press’ and the session was filmed by students, which will be uploaded on their blogging site ‘Radiowave’
Phil Hope said:
“I am delighted to return to this Academy which I last visited with during the Prime Minister’s official opening.
“I’ve faced many testing questions from the media throughout my political career, as well as those in the Houses of Parliament, but today’s questions were among some of the toughest I’ve ever faced! They were insightful, well-crafted and created a real buzz.
“These young people take a real interest in economic and employment issues affecting them. This is very encouraging as they will help shape the future of our economy, so it is vital that they have a voice.”
Phil Hope was joined on the question time panel by Council members Bryan Jackson (TBC) the Chair of East Midlands Development Agency (emda) Tom Crompton, Regional Director of the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) and Karin Foulds, Regional Director of Job Centre Plus.
The Regional Minister continued,
“Ahead of the Regional Economic Cabinet meeting, I meet with local businesses to gain further insights into how they are responding to the economic challenges, and the extra help available to them so that I can feed this back to Cabinet colleagues.”
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