THE Bishop of Liverpool has urged the Government to retain the Northwest Development Agency – saying removing it could be “detrimental to Liverpool’s future”.
In a speech at the House of Lords last night, the Rt Rev James Jones praised the agency’s part in the success of Liverpool’s Capital of Culture year.
The Bishop spoke of his concerns about a proposal to create Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) to replace regional development agencies.
He said the Government would be ill-advised to change the NWDA’s remit at a time when the region had the opportunity to develop renewable energy and “green jobs” to aid economic recovery.
Earlier this year, Conservative business spokesman Ken Clarke said the party would axe all regional development agencies (RDAs), prompting chairman Robert Hough to insist businesses were united in opposition to the policy.
But, last month, coalition Business Secretary Vince Cable hinted the agency could continue in some form.
