Welcome to the latest edition of North West Matters.

Much has happened since the last edition of North West Matters.  There is now a new Minister for the North West following the resignation of Beverley Hughes. Phil Woolas, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth - and Immigration Minister at the Home Office - was appointed to the post on 14 June. 

Phil writes:
 I am absolutely delighted to be representing the North West as its Regional Minister and will be speaking up for the region wherever and whenever I can.  I was brought up in Burnley, went to school and college in Nelson, to university in Manchester, my family live in Cumbria and I represent Oldham. As Minister for Local Government and Regeneration, I got to know Merseyside and Cheshire well. I have strong links to the region and a great affection for it and see it as my job to champion the region in Whitehall and Europe. The opportunity to redress the inequalities with the South is something I have devoted my political life to and will continue to do so.

The North West Region is the engine room of the British economy and it can lead us out of recession.. I would very much like to hear your views on the economy and other issues, so 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 

• This and more news from around the region can be found on the news page.
  
• The latest on my three regional priorities:Worklessness, Apprenticeships andAccess to finance for small business