Quango is safe with us, insists Johnson

Labour today pledged to protect regional development agency Advantage West Midlands as it launched its manifesto for the West Midlands.

Home Secretary Alan Johnson, who was visiting the region, said the quango was vital to the region's future, despite Labour having slashed its budget by £48m.

The Conservatives have said AWM could be scrapped if voters decide they want to strip it of its powers and give them to local councils and other bodies.

The manifesto also includes a pledge to protect small businesses, boost skills and create jobs. It says it would turn the region into the world's most advanced manufacturer of environmentally-friendly vehicles.

The party also claims the £485m M6 Toll, opened in 2004, has made Staffordshire more accessible and improved prosperity, despite rocketing prices for using it.

The home secretary, at Birmingham University before travelling to Dudley, said: "We have married up universities, business and government.

"A crucial part of that is regional development agencies which are an important part of this election campaign.

"When you look at our vision for coming out of the recession it is to develop manufacturing, digital media and build on the strength of bio-sciences."