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Regional and local government is critical to the UK economy's recovery, according to the CLG's newest addition to the ministerial team. Speaking exclusively to The MJ, Rosie Winterton said a partnership across government at all levels would be vital to supporting communities and business. Her task is to ensure businesses that have so far survived the recession can stay afloat and be well-positioned when the UK recovery gets fully underway. Ms Winterton also confirmed she will be taking forward the work started by Lord Mandelson before his promotion in the reshuffle to ensure there is a co-ordinated response to help businesses survive the downturn. She said: ‘The key message is that if we are going to be able to help people and businesses and communities in these difficult economic times, we need to make sure that the recession is as short and as shallow as possible. ‘We need to have a partnership with the national and regional structures and local government that makes sure that investments are as effective as possible.' Ms Winterton's appointment, shared between CLG and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, had been questioned by the sector – particularly as she remains regional minister for Yorkshire and The Humber. But the minister argued a central Whitehall department could not tackle the problems alone. Working with the regional structures, including the leaders boards and regional assemblies, Ms Winterton said multi-area agreements (MAAs) would be a key tool for increasing action by the agencies involved. She said there was a clear need for local government: ‘It can play a full part in terms of supporting local economies by offering assurance to business and as we look to the longer term, particularly with the skills agenda, they can shape what the economy looks like when the upturn comes.'

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WHITEHALL

Winterton defends her new remit across two ministries

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