Greater Manchester Business Board response to the Spring Budget 2024, delivered today (Wednesday 6 March) by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Among the measures focusing on business growth put forward in today’s Budget, there were a number of positive announcements concerning sectors where Greater Manchester has established or emerging strengths.
We welcome the confirmation that Greater Manchester’s Investment Zone will drive growth and innovation in advanced manufacturing and materials, and more details on the Investment Opportunities Fund available to support related business investment. Greater Manchester has historically been a centre for manufacturing innovation, and we can ensure this continues.
We also welcome further investment in AI – another area where Greater Manchester has an emerging strength, across our universities, businesses and entrepreneurs. Similarly, we were pleased to see further investment in life sciences manufacturing, where our world-leading research and development assets, centred on the Oxford Road Corridor, can help the government realise its ambition for the UK to become a life sciences superpower.
The Greater Manchester Business Board remains committed to working with government to drive economic growth across Greater Manchester, while delivering a greener, fairer and more inclusive economy.
Lou Cordwell OBE, Chair of Greater Manchester Business Board