Report looks at North West economic situation

• Report: The impact of the current economic situation on the North West and the Government's response
• North West Select Committee

The report looks into the impact of the downturn on the region and welcomes the steps Government agencies, like Jobcentre Plus and Business Link, are taking to try to keep people in jobs and businesses afloat - but says more still needs to be done.

MPs are particularly concerned that people and businesses are not always aware of the help that is available and have used their first report to call on the Government to put this right. The report also says that access to finance continues to be a problem for many businesses and criticises the delays in implementing Government finance schemes, such as the Venture Capital Loan Fund.

The Committee says that supporting manufacturing in the region must be a priority over the next year. The report warns that retaining and boosting skills during the downturn is vital to ensure the North West is not disadvantaged by a skills gaps in future. Help available to keep young people in apprenticeships needs to be promoted more widely and people who are facing redundancies need to be given early advice by Jobcentre Plus.

The Government should continue funding successful training schemes such as Train to Gain. It must also ensure problems do not occur when new Agencies take over the Learning and Skills Council in 2010.

Chair of the Committee, David Crausby MP, said:

"The North West economy is in need of urgent support. The wealth of the region relies heavily on industry and more needs to be done to protect our manufacturing base.

"We welcome the enthusiasm with which the new Regional Minister has taken up his role, but action must follow in order to convince us that the role carries real weight and influence.

"A good start would be to speed up the delivery of the £2.3 billion Automotive Assistance Programme. To keep cash flowing public and private sector firms that do not pay bills on time should also be named and shamed.

"The committee looks to the Government to provide an early response to our report - and more importantly urgent action."

The Committee is calling on the Government to:

• apply pressure on banks to increase lending to businesses in the region and to educate their staff about Government finance schemes and the services provided by Business Link;
• speed up the delivery of the Automotive Assistance Programme;
• name and shame public and private sector organisations that do not pay bills on time

The Committee also wants to see a commitment from Government that the North West Development Agency will not face any further cuts to its budget.