Welcome to the latest edition of North West Matters.

 The economic downturn has had a huge impact over the last few weeks – and all of us have a part to play in making sure the region is best placed to deal with its consequences.

We have brought the key players in the North West together to form a Joint Economic Commission which will meet frequently for the immediate future to fight the region’s corner.

Our first meeting was extremely constructive and we agreed seven actions which will ensure the region emerges from the downturn stronger than before.

This builds on a report launched by the Prime Minister last month which set out a number of key actions to support business. These included a £140m Venture Capital Loan Fund and a £40m package to stimulate business investment in skills.

We are now looking at what else can be done, particularly to help those small and medium sized businesses struggling to get access to finance.

In addition, the Prime Minister has established the National Economic Council to co-ordinate economic policies across Government.

This will now be supported by a quarterly Regional Economic Council, attended by all Regional Ministers and chairs of Regional Development Agencies where I will reflect the concerns of businesses and families here in the North West.

I’m delighted to continue my work as Regional Minister and look forward to working closely with my colleagues across the country in the new Council of Regional Ministers.

We will meet frequently to identify ways in which Regional Ministers can best work together on the big issues of the day.

In the meantime, I’d very much like to hear your views on these and other issues so that the voice of the North West is heard when these key decisions are taken. Please contact me at: regional.minister@gonw.gsi.gov.uk.

Best wishes

In this edition 

• Regional Minister highlights the importance of a skilled workforce as merseyside authorities sign 'skills pledge'.

• New focus on the economy for North West Regional Minister Beverley Hughes.

  
  
  This and more news from around the region can be found on the news page.
  
  

• The latest on my three regional priorities: Worklessness, Apprenticeships and Access to finance for small business
  
  
• Transcripts from my keynote address at the Regional Economic Framework event and video messages at the launch of the Dignity in Care campaign in Cumbria, the North West annual crime statistic event and the launch of 4NW.