GREEN technology will help bolster Bradford's economy despite the UK downturn, Yorkshire minister Rosie Winterton has said.
She praised the efforts to become more environmentally friendly which have been made by firms like Bradford-based Kelda, which owns Yorkshire Water. Last month a nationwide survey named Kelda the biggest privately-owned company in Yorkshire.
Ms Wi
nterton also highlighted NG Bailey, a building services provider, for its work to help create sustainable buildings.
The Doncaster Central MP spoke as she visited Bradford Property Forum yesterday, when she heard from city businessmen and women.
She said: "Bradford has a diverse economy which will help it in difficult times.
"It has a number of companies specialising in environmental technologies. And its businesses have a commitment to ensuring that skills are up the agenda."
However Ms Winterton admitted there were problems in the economy and pledged the Government was working to improve things.
"The housing sector has had its difficulties but the Government has made a number of announcements to assist the sector.
"Yorkshire's strength is that it has a mixed economy. Areas are no longer dependent on any one sector, such as coal.
"Now there are financial services, construction and manufacturing – manufacturing is holding up well.
"We are all concerned to make sure that the economy is able to withstand some of the global challenges. What we need to remember is that we have had 10 years of stability."
Regional ministers were dubbed a "pointless gimmick" by Liberal Democrat leader and Sheffield Hallam MP Nick Clegg earlier this month.
In total England has nine regional ministers.
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