A CABINET minister has joined Burnley MP Peter Pike in praising the North West Development Agency in its efforts to bring new jobs in the town's former Michelin factory.
The Labour backbencher raised the issue this week during Commons Questions with Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Paul Boateng.
Mr Pike asked him: "Do you accept that the North West Development Agency is doing tremendous work in developing the former Michelin site to provide employment in Burnley?
"It is important to encourage all investments in research and development and in manufacturing industry if we are to gain employment in towns such as Burnley."
Mr Boateng, deputy to Chancellor Gordon Brown, told Mr Pike: "You work hard in Burnley on employment issues and you are absolutely right to point out the importance of the investment in this area.
"You will appreciate the work on skills that the Regional Development Agency is doing with local higher and further education institutions.
"You will know that employers are more likely to invest in areas such as Burnley when real efforts have been made to enhance the skills of the people who make up the Labour market.
"That is happening and it is good news for Burnley and the rest of the North West."
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