The Cabinet has only met outside of London on three previous occasions, and this was their first visit to the South East. GOSE was able to play a vital role in arranging the event.
Mr Brown started his day with an early morning visit to Southampton City College where he launched National Apprenticeships Week, before meeting his Cabinet colleagues at the City Cruise Terminal.
After a Cabinet meeting where Jonathan Shaw, Regional Minister for the South East outlined his vision for the region, Mr Brown launched the ‘Real Help Now’ website to a forum of more than 150 regional stakeholders from the private, public and third sectors.
Stakeholders joined ministers for round table discussions and a Q&A session on issues facing the region during the economic downturn.
Many of the ministers including Chancellor Alistair Darling, Communities Secretary Hazel Blears and Foreign Secretary David Miliband then went on to visit local businesses and communities.
