HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Taking Yorkshire Forward [July 2002]
The press release issued by HM Treasury on 19 July 2002.
Yorkshire business will benefit from the £375 million Spending Review boost for Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), Economic Secretary and Yorkshire MP John Healey told local business representatives in Leeds today.
Speaking to a 200-strong audience at the conference ‘Unleashing the Power of Yorkshire Business’, organized by Yorkshire Forward, Mr Healey said :
“RDAs are a cornerstone of the Government’s new regional economic policy. This substantial extra money will further strengthen their role as catalysts for economic development in the regions.
It will boost RDAs? work on driving forward economic development and regeneration in the regions. RDAs are being given considerable new influence in areas with a direct bearing on regional economic performance.
For the first time they will be given responsibilities in the areas of transport, tourism, planning and housing. They will also work closely with the Small Business Service (SBS) and Learning and Skills Council (LSC) to pilot the regional management of services to small businesses and improvements to adult skills.
Yorkshire and Humberside is a dynamic and productive region. I am sure businesses here will see and seize the new opportunities with their traditional acumen. Local industries and inward investment in bio-technology, digital and creative industries, are powerful drivers of economic growth, creating employment opportunities and raising the standard of life for local people.
With extra resources and flexibility within the Single Pot funding framework, Yorkshire Forward, working with Local Learning and Skills Councils, Local Authorities, schools, colleges, and the business community, will be able to do even more to promote growth across the region.
The agencies that Government is now giving strategic leadership, substantial funds and increasing freedom to drive the regional economic opportunities, all have bases here in Yorkshire and are all strongly business-led: Yorkshire Forward, SBS and LSCs.
The challenge now for business is two-fold: to take advantage of new initiatives on skills, investment and ICT, but also to get involved with Yorkshire agencies to help lead and influence plans for the future.”
