Liam Byrne, Minister for the West Midlands, today welcomes news that the Cabinet will come to the region for its meeting on 8th September.

The minister, who was involved in planning the meeting with No 10 last week, said:

"This is a huge vote of confidence in the progress we've made in the West Midlands this year.

"The Prime Minister pioneered a new regional politics with the appointment of regional ministers last summer. Now we have the first Cabinet held in the regions. It gives us a chance to put our plans for new jobs and new homes centre stage.

"We have a huge amount to showcase - like plans for a new New Street station, the best performing apprenticeship programme in Britain, new plans for a science investment like Channel 4's €50 million digital media fund, billions of investment pouring into redevelopment and ambitions for a new home to be built every half hour.

"We've delivered this change with a new style of partnership politics. Now we've got an unrivalled day to show the Cabinet what we're proud of, and where we need a little extra help."