This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7905279.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Brown launches 'recovery' website Brown launches 'recovery' website
(about 1 hour later)
The government is promoting its efforts to help the British economy through the recession with its own version of US President Obama's "recovery" website.The government is promoting its efforts to help the British economy through the recession with its own version of US President Obama's "recovery" website.
Gordon Brown referred to the "real help now" website - listing action being taken around Britain - as the cabinet met in Southampton.Gordon Brown referred to the "real help now" website - listing action being taken around Britain - as the cabinet met in Southampton.
He also announced 21,000 public sector apprenticeships were being created.He also announced 21,000 public sector apprenticeships were being created.
Earlier van maker LDV asked ministers for loans to secure its future and protect thousands of jobs.Earlier van maker LDV asked ministers for loans to secure its future and protect thousands of jobs.
And the government has announced that Northern Rock is to revive its mortgage business with up to £14bn in new loans by 2011.And the government has announced that Northern Rock is to revive its mortgage business with up to £14bn in new loans by 2011.
'Proper interaction''Proper interaction'
US President Barack Obama has launched his "recovery" website as part of his economic plan, which he says aims to show the American people where their money is going.US President Barack Obama has launched his "recovery" website as part of his economic plan, which he says aims to show the American people where their money is going.
Mr Brown mentioned the UK's "real help now" website as he addressed an audience in Southampton as the cabinet met outside London for the fourth time - following visits to Leeds, Liverpool and Birmingham.Mr Brown mentioned the UK's "real help now" website as he addressed an audience in Southampton as the cabinet met outside London for the fourth time - following visits to Leeds, Liverpool and Birmingham.
The prime minister said the purpose of the visit was to get a "proper interaction" and hear people's views outside London.The prime minister said the purpose of the visit was to get a "proper interaction" and hear people's views outside London.
He told the audience: "We are facing something quite extraordinary, a global banking crisis, the banks of the world for the first time have seized up and we have got to unblock that.He told the audience: "We are facing something quite extraordinary, a global banking crisis, the banks of the world for the first time have seized up and we have got to unblock that.
Britain always works best when Britain works together Gordon BrownBritain always works best when Britain works together Gordon Brown
"We have got to make sure that credit can flow to businesses, that mortgages are available for families and that people who depend on banks for their savings and security can once again feel they can trust the banks in this country and of course trust the banks in every country of the world.""We have got to make sure that credit can flow to businesses, that mortgages are available for families and that people who depend on banks for their savings and security can once again feel they can trust the banks in this country and of course trust the banks in every country of the world."
He said international action was needed but the government was also trying to provide help in Britain, for example by boosting mortgage help and the construction industry and help for those who have lost their jobs.He said international action was needed but the government was also trying to provide help in Britain, for example by boosting mortgage help and the construction industry and help for those who have lost their jobs.
The cabinet had discussed moving to a "low carbon" economy to meet climate change targets and create new jobs, he said.
"Britain always works best when Britain works together and I believe that through this downturn we have got to show that we can work together," he said adding the website "spelt out" in one place all the government help available."Britain always works best when Britain works together and I believe that through this downturn we have got to show that we can work together," he said adding the website "spelt out" in one place all the government help available.
It also includes Mr Brown's explanation of how the current crisis had occurred - likening an economy without a functioning banking system to a house without electricity.It also includes Mr Brown's explanation of how the current crisis had occurred - likening an economy without a functioning banking system to a house without electricity.
ApprenticeshipsApprenticeships
Last week the director general of business organisation, the CBI, Richard Lambert, said President Obama's website was an "excellent template" and called for a UK version to be created to "give the public and businesses a much clearer idea of what is being done".Last week the director general of business organisation, the CBI, Richard Lambert, said President Obama's website was an "excellent template" and called for a UK version to be created to "give the public and businesses a much clearer idea of what is being done".
No 10 confirmed the site's launch, saying the idea behind it was to enable people to find details of all the support it was giving workers, employers and homeowners "in one place".No 10 confirmed the site's launch, saying the idea behind it was to enable people to find details of all the support it was giving workers, employers and homeowners "in one place".
Meanwhile Liberal Democrats Treasury spokesman Vince Cable said, by announcing Northern Rock was to increase lending, the government had "put the cart before the horse".
He told the BBC: "The rules have got to be set out first, for mortgage lending, before Northern Rock is let off the leash."
He added: "There has got to be a set of rules and principles for future mortgage lending, so we don't have the excesses of the past."
Labour's record on creating public sector apprenticeships is pathetic David WillettsShadow skills secretary Apprentices target 'to be missed'Van firm LDV seeks government aid
At the cabinet meeting and subsequent visits in the Southampton area ministers highlighted 21,000 new apprenticeships from April in hospitals, schools and local government at the start of National Apprenticeships Week.At the cabinet meeting and subsequent visits in the Southampton area ministers highlighted 21,000 new apprenticeships from April in hospitals, schools and local government at the start of National Apprenticeships Week.
They include 5,000 NHS places, 7,500 in local government and 4,500 in schools and children's services.
But the Conservatives predict the government will miss its target of 130,000 apprenticeships being completed every year by 2010-11.But the Conservatives predict the government will miss its target of 130,000 apprenticeships being completed every year by 2010-11.
They say official figures show 112,600 apprenticeships were completed in 2007-08, up from 111,800 in 2006-08. Shadow skills secretary David Willetts said: "Labour's record on creating public sector apprenticeships is pathetic.
If the number keeps increasing by 800 a year, the target would be reached in 2029-30. "Figures we obtained last year showed that there were hardly any apprentices in government departments and not a single one in John Denham's own department."
The government is way off its target for increasing apprenticeships David WillettsShadow skills secretary class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/7904820.stm">Apprentices target 'to be missed' class="" href="/1/hi/business/7904918.stm">Van firm LDV seeks government aid Skills Secretary John Denham said the target would be met by 2010-11.
Shadow skills secretary David Willetts said: "The government is way off its target for increasing apprenticeships.
"The number of under-25s starting apprenticeships is falling, and there's a particularly shocking fall in apprenticeships for 16 to 18-year-olds.
"Once again, Gordon Brown is letting down young people and failing to deliver the skills we need to emerge from the recession."
Skills Secretary John Denham said he was wrong and the target would be met by 2010-11.
And the government says, in addition to the 21,000 new apprenticeship places from April, all construction companies winning contracts for the Building Schools for the Future scheme will have to provide formal training programmes.And the government says, in addition to the 21,000 new apprenticeship places from April, all construction companies winning contracts for the Building Schools for the Future scheme will have to provide formal training programmes.
That will create up to 1,000 extra apprenticeships from June, including posts in construction, information technology and facilities management and a further 1,000 in the Ministry of Defence.
Sir Alan Sugar has been enlisted to front a television campaign to promote apprenticeships and will join ministers to host the first of a series of seminars with employers and young people.
Gordon Brown has said he wants to see one in five young people in apprenticeships by 2018, as part of a drive to win the global "skills race".Gordon Brown has said he wants to see one in five young people in apprenticeships by 2018, as part of a drive to win the global "skills race".
The Conservatives have accused him of announcing new apprenticeships "every few months" but say those of A-Level standard "linked to a real employer" have fallen.The Conservatives have accused him of announcing new apprenticeships "every few months" but say those of A-Level standard "linked to a real employer" have fallen.