PRIME Minister Gordon Brown, writing exclusively today for The Press, explains why he is throwing his support behind our York Means Business campaign.

I am very pleased to hear of The Press’s launch of its York Means Business campaign.

It is great to see the local paper supporting its readers and local business during this difficult period and pulling the community together to take the city and surrounding towns and villages through the downturn.

From talking to your local MPs and regional minister, Rosie Winterton, I know how York has transformed itself over the last decade, but I also know that these are difficult times for some industries in the region and many businesses and families in the area will be feeling the pinch.

That is why we have taken action, stabilising the banks and introducing measures such as the tax cut of £120 for everyone paying the basic rate of tax, the temporary reduction in VAT, the £1billion housing package to help first-time buyers and the rescue scheme for people struggling with their mortgages, and by bringing forward investment in new social housing which will help the 7,350 households deemed in priority need of housing in the region.

We recognise that the region’s 300,000 small businesses are the lifeblood of the area’s economy and are finding the current climate particularly tough, so we are making sure they have access to the loans and capital they need to help their organisations prosper. That is why small businesses will be the focus of £350 million of Government funds to help them get through the downturn by building the skills and expertise of their workers. We are also bringing forward £3 billion of investment nationally, which will benefit Yorkshire through investment in new homes, improved transport links, better healthcare, education and skills.

On a local level, your regional minister, Rosie Winterton, is working closely with the Council of Regional Ministers and Yorkshire Forward to take the region through the downturn and boost the area’s economy. The local business people she has recruited as Business Ambassadors will draw on a wealth of experience and expertise to support companies during this economic period and the Economic Delivery Group Rosie Winterton has set up has already secured pledges from Local Authorities to help the region by paying businesses promptly and using procurement to benefit the local economy.

However, we are committed not only to doing everything we can to provide real help to get people through this period, but also to making sure we emerge stronger and provide real hope for the future.

I strongly believe that investment in science, new technologies and skills is key to our future competitiveness. Our new low-carbon strategy announced last week takes into account the tremendous economic opportunities research and development and hi-tech green technology provide for jobs and our future prosperity.

And, of course, with the University or York on your doorstep and, as one of the founding national Science Cities, the region is well placed to take advantage of these opportunities.

So I want to assure readers of The Press we are working hard to restore stability in the economy, support small businesses and help families through this difficult period.

I wish The Press every success with its campaign and I am sure its determination to focus on positive action and to promote the region’s economy will make a real difference.

Together we will make sure this historic city emerges strong and ready for the upturn.