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Praise for Manchester's economic growth

17/07/2008

A new report has found that former industrial urban centres like Manchester often contribute more money to the national economy than southern towns and cities.

The report, carried out by The Work Foundation, finds that Manchester is growing with increasing momentum, having made major gains in its economic growth over the past decade by attracting highly-skilled workers and big companies.

However, Wigan fared badly in the study due to low productivity rates. While citizens in the city of Manchester contribute an average of £18,407 to the value of the national economy, the figure is just £10,998 in the west Manchester borough.

"Some big cities of the UK have clearly bounced back from the decline of manufacturing and have galvanised themselves to be productive, thriving, 21st century places," explained Alexandra Jones, associate director of The Work Foundation.

In related news, a separate report entitled State of the City revealed that employment in the city of Manchester has risen by 14 per cent in the past eight years.