Seeing through the gloom

Weston Theatre, Manchester Conference Centre, Sackville Street, Manchester, M1 3BB

As the economic gloom continues, the latest release of GMFM (the annual base forecast update) highlights the clear challenges facing Greater Manchester but also the opportunities for growth that still exist across the conurbation.

The event provided an opportunity for strategists and policymakers to consider first-hand these updated forecasts and debate the implications for Greater Manchester and the delivery of its ambitions for the future. The event discussed key questions including:

• Is the UK on the road to recovery?
• Where will future growth come from?
• What are the risks from the public spending squeeze?
• Where is the recovery as the global economy struggles for momentum?

Alan Wilson, Director of Consulting Services at Oxford Economics focussed on the trends arising from present global economic conditions and their impact on the region.

Neil Gibson, Director of Regional Services at Oxford Economics presented the Greater Manchester forecasts in detail and discussed ways to grow the local economy.

Presentation 01-Macroeconoics Background by Alan Wilson, Oxford Economics is available, here (1974kb)

Presentation 02-Forecasts for Greater Manchester by Neil Gibson, Oxford Economics is available, here (2712kb)