GOVERNMENT OFFICES FOR THE REGIONS

Early day motion 877, tabled 24 February 2009 by John McDonnell (Labour). Signed by 31 members.

That this House notes the important role the Government Offices in the English regions play in delivering a wide agenda on behalf of Government including the Department for Children, Schools and Families, the Home Office, the Department for Work and Pensions, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Department for Transport, the Department for Communities and Local Government, the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, the Department for Energy and Climate Change, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills and the Cabinet Office; recognises the valuable work they conduct in wide-ranging areas including local government, safeguarding children, education, skills, crime reduction, race relations and environment and climate change; further recognises that staff have delivered all Government targets whilst seeing staff numbers fall by 40 per cent. over the last four years; and calls on the Government to halt any further staff reductions which will undermine the valuable work of the Government Offices in the regions.

Signatures by party: Labour 22, Liberal Democrat 6, Independent 2, Conservative 1.