To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the steps the Government Office for the South West has taken to assist the regional economy in the current economic climate. (269455)

Government office for the south west plays a key role in assisting the region in the current economic climate. It supports the Regional Minister, Ben Bradshaw, in leading a prompt response to sectoral, regional, and national problems; co-ordinates the South West Regional Economic Task Group (jointly with the south west regional development agency); provides intelligence to assist national and regional interventions; and communicates key national messages on the economy to regional and local audiences.