CLG ministers have promised to co-ordinate a national forum designed to support traditional community markets, under threat from challenging economic conditions. CLG officials published their response to a report on the future of traditional markets by backbench MPs on 12 October. And while Eland House agreed with MPs that a bespoke minister for markets was not necessary, the response states that local government minister, Rosie Winterton, will help co-ordinate Whitehall's support. ‘CLG will take on a co-ordinated function across interested departments in Whitehall and bring together the industry with the relevant departments when issues to both parties arise,' the response states. ‘This inter-departmental working group will report as appropriate, both to the minister for local government in CLG and minister for economic development and co-ordination at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, and to the minister for food at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.'Dr Phyllis Starkey, chair of the Commons CLG select committee, said she supported the CLG's response. ‘We warned ministers in our report last July that many outdoor and traditional covered markets face a precarious future,' she said. ‘The committee was particularly concerned that CLG should take the lead to establish a means to ensure representatives from retail markets, key government departments and local councils, can work more effectively to ensure that existing and new markets thrive and flourish.'
