PSP on Whitehall warpath

BUSINESS lobby group Private Sector Partners has slammed Whitehall departments over their failure to help North West businesses combat the recession

PSP, which represents 140,000 companies in the region, believes the North West’s ability to fight the downturn has been undermined by mixed messages and “headline grabbing” by competing Government departments.

Founder and leader Len Collinson said: “Whitehall’s response to the recession has been too governed by grabbing headlines

“The last year has seen too many unnecessary announcements and schemes. Departments have been busy but not always either efficient or consistent.

“The almost daily policies and initiatives by different departments has at times resembled a bunfight. This has almost certainly led to confusion and dismay in local agencies like the North West Development Agency (NWDA) and Business Link.”

PSP has asked the North West Regional Select Committee to provide written evidence on the Government’s handling of the recession from a regional perspective.

In  contrast to the national picture, Mr Collinson says the response to the recession by the North West Development has been much better.

“The NWDA has gone out of its  way to consult with the private sector and seek advice in recent months. It is important that bodies such as the NWDA are seen to be giving leadership in the region.”