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Identifying Growth Sectors in the South East Economy

In response to the right hon. Gentleman, I am looking forward to reading the report and seeing what the Committee has said about the important work carried out by the regional economic development agency. Today’s Regional Grand Committee also allows Parliament, particularly Members from the south-east, to hold me to account as the regional Minister. Given the importance of today’s proceedings, I should say in passing that I am pleased to see Members from all areas of our region attending this meeting in Reading. I am sure that today’s debate will make a valuable contribution as we wrestle with the competing demands that are so apparent in our region and that have been articulated in our questions earlier. I am pleased that the debate has focused on the south-east economy, particularly on the prospects for growth. I am sure that we all agree that the south-east is a great region, and the engine room of the UK economy. There is high calibre manufacturing and an excellent service sector, and quality of life for many is high. People want to live here and businesses want to come here. Employment rates are high: 81 per cent. for men and 73.3 per cent. for women. However, as has been mentioned, we know that none of that can be taken for granted in the recession, and that is why I, as the regional Minister, have made the economy my No. 1 priority