Woolas appointment

Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Phil Woolas will now take charge of the North-West after being handed another job in Gordon Brown’s reshuffle.

Mr Woolas had kept his job as Immigration Minister, but has now been asked to take on additional responsibilities as Minister for the North-West.

Last night Mr Woolas received a call from the Prime Minister’s‚ office asking him to take over the role from Beverley Hughes who resigned from Government last week.

Mr Woolas said: “My credentials are I was brought up in Burnley, went to school and college in Nelson, went to university in Manchester, and I live in and represent Oldham.

“I will be championing the region in Whitehall and will spend a couple of weeks talking to MPs, councils, businesses and unions to find out how to promote the region as best as we can. The North-West economy is Britain’s engine room.”