Rosie Winterton, Minister for Yorkshire and the Humber, attended the Wakefield Economic Taskforce meeting on 25th January to discuss practical measures that could assist the Wakefield economy.<\/p>\n
Attended by representatives from Wakefield Council and local businesses, the meeting focused on the key issues affecting businesses in the Wakefield District.<\/p>\n
Rosie Winterton, the Minister for Yorkshire and The Humber, said: <\/p>\n
“I’m delighted to attend this meeting of the Wakefield Economic Taskforce today. The taskforce is a very real example of Councils and other local organisations working together to put Government Policy into practice at a local level and provide the real help that families and businesses need now to weather the storm of the recession and to come out of it stronger and fitter for the future.”<\/p>\n
The Taskforce has already implemented a series of practical measures to date including relaxing public agency buying criteria where possible, speeding up planning permissions, extending local business grants to boost investment, and launching the Wakefield Economic Helpline.<\/p>\n
Councillor Peter Box, Leader of Wakefield Council, commented on the need to look to the future: <\/p>\n
-As the economic recovery unfolds we will move our focus to assisting businesses during the upturn. The new emphasis will be reflected in transforming the Taskforce’s work into an Economic Prosperity Board.\u201d<\/p>\n
Phil Atkinson, sales director at eleventeenth, said:<\/p>\n
-It’s excellent to have the actions of the Taskforce supported by a government minister. <\/p>\n
Commenting on procurement and winning new business, he continued:<\/p>\n
-In order to benefit from the upturn it’s vital that local businesses win local contracts, and equally, that small businesses have access to support during the tender process.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Rosie Winterton, Minister for Yorkshire and the Humber, attended the Wakefield Economic Taskforce meeting on 25th January to discuss practical measures that could assist the Wakefield economy. <\/p>\n