The Joint Economic Commission for the North West will meet frequently for the immediate future to ensure that the region acts as one in protecting families and businesses.
The Minister said: "This is a global problem but it is increasingly being felt at neighbourhood level and by families. As Regional Minister, I want to make sure that the key partners are doing all they can to ensure that the North West economy emerges from the current downturn stronger than before
"We will be looking at ways in which the public and private sectors can help individually and jointly. For instance, that might be looking at ways we can bring forward big infrastructure projects. Or it might be greater support for small businesses struggling to get access to finance in order to protect jobs"
"There has been tremendous enthusiasm for the idea and that in itself speaks volumes for the spirit of cooperation which exists among the key players in the North West."
The Commission, which meets for the first time in early November, will bring together business leaders, local authorities, Government Office for the North West, the Northwest Regional Development Agency and public agencies like Jobcentre Plus, the Learning and Skills Council, the Strategic Health Authority, the Highways Agency and the fledgling Homes and Communities Agency.
The Commission was announced as the Regional Minister met officials from the Treasury and the Department for Communities and Local Government and business leaders at a breakfast meeting in City Tower. This looked at ways in which Government can support economic development in the region.
The Minister also sits on the Regional Economic Council in Westminster. This enables Regional Ministers to report back to the Chancellor and the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform on the effects of the downturn in their regions.
