THE government has been accused of trying to hide bad news for by combining three major announcements on cash aid for the East Lancashire's industry into a single statement.

Next week, Trade and Industry Secretary Stephen Byers is scheduled to reveal details of the new assisted area status map, which governs the eligibility of different parts of Britain for European and Whitehall grants.

He will combine with that details of which regions have got Objective Two status, entitling them to European regional and cash to support manufacturing industry. He will also unveil details of the winners in the competition to win British government money under the Single Regeneration Budget.

Angry Ribble Valley Tory MP Nigel Evans said: "There are real fears that parts of East Lancashire are going to suffer from some of these decisions. By combining the three announcements, the government is clearly trying to cover this up and present as good news changes that could be very bad news for individual areas.

"With manufacturing industry in East Lancashire in further decline, there is urgent need for more government support. This is yet another example of the government trying to hide the damaging substance of their actions under a gloss of feel-good spin.

"The ministers should have the courage to tell the truth."

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