Welcome to the second edition of North West Matters and thank you to those who took the time to send me your comments on the first.

It feels like a lot has happened since. In particular, we’ve been looking for your contributions in two important areas affecting the future of the region.

As you may be aware, the Government has published its draft proposals for the Queen’s speech – setting out our priorities for the next Parliamentary session.

This is something I’ve been keen to promote. It is a great opportunity to have your say on some of the big issues of our time and I’d like to get as much feedback as possible.

As key stakeholders in the region you play an important part in the process and I would encourage all of you who haven’t already done so to visit the Commons Leader website and have your say.

Some of you will have attended the consultation event in Warrington on the Sub National Review. These proposals will have a radical effect on the way decisions are taken at regional, sub regional and local level.

Finally, I want to mention a subject close to my heart – the Greater Manchester Challenge which was launched at the City of Manchester.

I’m confident this will have an impact on the lives of generations of children in some deprived areas and I for one will remember the day for a long time to come.

Best wishes

In this edition 

• Teenagers from Stretford High School have their say on Government plans.

  
  

  The Greater Manchester Challenge launches with an ambitious agenda..
  
  This and more news from around the region can be found on the news page.
  
  

• The latest on my three regional priorities: Worklessness, Health inequalities, and Building Local Capacity.
  
  
• Transcripts from my keynote addresses at the CLES Summer School on Shaping Fairer Places for the Future, the Protecting your Business Seminar - Business Continuity and a video message at the Cumbria Alcohol Strategy Launch.