More than £500 million has been spent on improving industry, training, housing, transport and other key economic areas across the South East.

The spending by the Government Office for the South East (GOSE) is revealed in its annual report.

Key achievements of the organisation over the past 12 months include:

Success with the New Deal for Communities initiative in East Brighton, one of 17 'Pathfinder' communities to receive funding under the initiative.

Setting up a project involving external partners to manage the transition from Training and Enterprise Councils (TECs) to Leaning and Skills Councils (LSCs).

Working with careers service companies, local authorities and other partners to prepare for the Connexions Service for young people, which will be introduced progressively from April 2001.

Setting up and managing the Small Business Service regional assessment panel, which assessed proposals from Business Link partnerships to run the six new SBS outlets.

Driving forward the implementation of the Integrated Transport White Paper, in particular by advising local authorities on their own transport plans.

GOSE has also been working with the NHS Executive on a range of different health-related initiatives aimed at combating social exclusion within the region.

It has also helped to establish a regional housing forum.

Regional director David Saunders said: "This year has ben one of real significance for the region with the establishment of the South East England Development Agency and the Regional Assembly.

"GOSE continues to develop partnerships across the region with a wide range of public, private and voluntary organisations.

"We will continue to work with these partners to improve the region's prosperity and to promote social inclusion."

It was also responsible for setting up the Regional Cultural Consortium and starting work on the Regional Cultural Strategy.