All ready and excited to deliver the first GM Chamber #gmeconomics update for 2024 covering a wide range of economic indicators for the local and national economy. The briefing will be live streamed at youtube.com/live/9_uAvJ19J…

Today @waynejones0804 and I are at Amazon's fully automated facility in Bolton, representing GM Chamber at the Amazon Innovation Accelerator for small businesses. Great discussion on all things innovation and culture and greatly benefiting from the Wayne's decades of experience.

Really looking forward to the Mayoral hustings and hearing from all candidates this evening at the splendid Peel Hall of University of Salford. Vice-Chancellor Nic Beech kicks off proceedings with a welcome and intro.

Conservative candidate Laura Evans 💙 puts the focus on business challenges and barrier to investment in Greater Manchester to which Andy Burnham says his places based vision for the Integrated Technical Education System will deliver the best for the city region.

As expected, transportation issues - trains, train fares, cancelled infrastructure find mention and it is evident that poor transport infrastructure is a serious impediment to business growth and development in Greater Manchester.

Also speaking is John Wrathmell of Greater Manchester Combined Authority, who is giving an update on #devolution and investment zones.

John Wrathmell reports that the GM investment zone is set to champion numerous initiatives for start up businesses, research funding, business support and seed funding for materials and manufacturing businesses. This is good for our city region.

This morning, I am presenting at GM Chamber #GMCCSummit at the wonderful Emirates Old Trafford. Setting the economic and labour market context for further discussion based on #GMEconomics and #GMLSIP.

NAO confirms that HS2 without phase 2 will result in trains with less space between Manchester and Birmingham than current west Coast services, and might require demand management to dissuade passengers… bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

This has to count as a fine specimen of an own goal...

Kudos anand mahindra . This is the first #rickshaw I have seen in UK roads! And it is an #ElectricVehicle as far as I understand.

A wonderful atmosphere at GM Chamber P&C dinner tonight where we unveil the Building of the Year 2025 and the Steve Burne Apprentice of the Year. #GMCCBOTY24

The Chancellor insists tomorrow's Spring Statement will be a "not a budget" event but it will reveal downgraded OBR forecasts, welfare and spending cuts, and higher borrowing costs. Where is growth going to come from? (1/2)

The lack of economic growth is all too noticeable and even perhaps even more marked is the lack of a clear plan for growth. My thoughts on the Spring Statement: gmchamber.co.uk/news-opinions/…

Government's strategy in the lead-up to the Spring Statement was clear: manage expectations and prepare the ground for spending cuts. That the Chancellor didn’t announce any new growth orientated measures is glaring. That is a big problem. Where is the growth to come from? (1/2)

The Chancellor chose to speak more about civil service reform, planning reform and the benefits of defence spending. Is that enough to steer the UK economy? My take on the Spring Statement: gmchamber.co.uk/news-opinions/… (2/2)

Delighted to speak with my friend PM Keir Starmer. In a historic milestone, India and the UK have successfully concluded an ambitious and mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement, along with a Double Contribution Convention. These landmark agreements will further deepen our

This is a very British take on a very British problem. The FT's piece on Tesco's birthday cake sandwich (⛔️🙊⛔️) is an absolute classic: ft.com/content/6256f8…