THE Press’s York Means Business campaign has been hailed in the House of Commons by top politicians from the York area, including Frank Dobson and Vince Cable.

York MP Hugh Bayley has tabled an Early Day Motion, welcoming the campaign, which he said aimed to support local businesses through the economic downturn and help residents find and retain employment.

He stated in the motion that the economic downturn was affecting every country in the world, but its impact in York would be reduced if York’s businesses, leaders and citizens emphasise the city’s strengths and, “like The Press, express confidence in York’s future”.

He said York had many assets which enabled it to continue attracting inward investment and new jobs, including good road and rail links, its designation as a science city, two universities, and a new £60 million further education college and excellent schools which provided a skilled labour force.

The motion said York had a diversified economy with jobs in science, technology, financial services, manufacturing and services which, together with its unparalleled history and heritage, made it one of the country’s top retail and tourist destinations.

It also welcomed the support given to the campaign by business leaders, Prime Minister Gordon Brown and politicians from across the party spectrum.

York-born Vince Cable, who is the Liberal Democrats’ Treasury spokesman, told The Press he was happy to sign the motion, saying that good local initiatives such as York Means Business were as essential to economic recovery as global action.

Other signatories include former Labour Health Secretary Frank Dobson, who was born and brought up in York, Selby’s Labour MP John Grogan and Ryedale’s Tory MP John Greenway. Mr Bayley told The Press that the Early Day Motion would be read by every MP and brought to the attention of trade ministers by civil servants.

Mr Bayley said: “I want MPs and Ministers to know that there’s strong confidence in the ability of York’s businesses to do well, despite the downturn.”