Chancellor George Osborne says the north west can once again become a world-leading centre for manufacturing if businesses have the confidence to invest in the region.
Mr Osborne told the M.E.N he wants more companies to place their faith in Britain, in order to stimulate growth through increased productivity and higher export levels.
He said it was vital firms across the north west play their part in the economic recovery of towns and cities impacted by public sector job cuts.
The Chancellor – also MP for Tatton – added he had been impressed by what he saw during a visit to the Warburtons estate, in Bolton, where the company has invested £39m in a new factory.
He held that up as an example of how businesses can give a boost to local economies, as opposed to sending manufacturing overseas. Asked whether he believed Greater Manchester could once again become a centre of manufacturing, he said: "I do think you can see manufacturing expanding and exports growing.
"Greater Manchester made its name as a great export centre to countries around the world."
Mr Osborne added: "We want to see more businesses like Warburtons investing and having confidence in their country’s future, having confidence in their town’s future."
Latest figures show unemployment levels in Greater Manchester have continued to grow, with nearly 11,000 more people out of work in December than in the same month in 2010.
Regional experts have blamed the trend on the fact the private sector has not picked up the slack left by large-scale cuts to public services.
Analysts say many businesses are lacking the confidence to invest in growth projects, such as building new facilities, acquisitions or starting to export, while others feel hampered by red tape.
But Mr Osbrone stood by the government’s austerity programme and urged business owners to be bold and invest locally, in order to generate jobs and give the domestic economy a boost.
He added the previous Labour regime was to blame for the action the coalition has had to take. Mr Osborne said: "We all know the country ran up huge debts and the money ran out. We can’t rely on just public sector and debt any more."
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Georgie Osborne holding the nation's purse- strings... we'd be better with his namesake, Ozzy. (And he couldn't have performed worse, when he was '...out of it, man'.
'Regional experts have blamed the trend on the fact the private sector has not picked up the slack left by large-scale cuts to public services.' - MEN.
And how is the private sector meant to finance new jobs... bank loans? Don't make me laugh.
When Labour was kicked out, the Coalition liars and opportunists blamed them for what was a series of global financial issues. And now they are in office ('power' would be
inappropriate), guess what: it's not the 'Gruesome Twosome's' fault - it's a world problem. Now there's a surprise - not!
If all Camermoan, Gideon, and (ever-increasingly anonymous) Cleggie, can offer us is 'hope', how long before we are forced to cling to 'Faith' and 'Charity'?
The picture looks ripe for a Caption Competition.
instead of sticking his finger in the dyke he is hoping he can get away with
sticking it in a crumpet.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
USELESS IDIOT.
Gosh, Gideon has got off his backside and travelled from Knutsford to Bolton. It must have been important. On the other hand, he seems to enjoy all the dressing up in hard hats and white coats (or sometimes reflective jackets), before having his photo taken.
I was going to say that he's expecting a lot, trying to pin economic recovery on the North West, simply on the basis of making a few loaves. However, I did notice a story from last year, in `The Bolton News` that "Warburtons to roll out bread across Europe". So very well done to Warburtons for doing that. Apparently, "seven popular products" will be winging their way across to "126 Tesco branches in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary" on a trail basis for 6 months. Well done Warburtons.
However, when previous government have worked so hard to encourage the hemorrhaging of engineering work to the far east of the planet, also sponsoring fast track visas and Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfers (that have damaged uk employment), and the current coalition is presiding over an endemic rash of bank non-lending, one wonders how export-worthy companies are expected to suddenly spring into action.
So, might I enquire of Gideon, apart from indulging in dressing up and having his photo taken, how exactly he is going to offer real financial incentives to create a centre of engineering excellence in the North West (or anywhere else in the UK)?
Having heard a few days ago that the Bank of England has dropped £50bn "quantitative easing" into the magicians pockets of our esteemed Bankers-Circle, (who can make money disappear in a puff of smoke), will more that £50 quid of that find its way back to fund North West engineering projects?
When asked about Greater Manchester becoming a centre of engineering excellence, Gideon apparently replies: "I do think YOU can see manufacturing expanding and exports growing". Perhaps he might have tried saying "I do think I can see ...", or there again, perhaps HE can't see that. Perhaps he expects companies to put THEIR money where HIS mouth is?
He goes on to say, so we are told, that he urges business owners to be bold and invest locally, so perhaps he means "do what you will, but don't ask anything of me". I notice that he's then quick to get in a barbed comment about it all being Labour's fault.
Never mind, Gidgeon. If it doesn't all work out for you, perhaps we can get you a gig, taking over from Neil Morrissey, reading Bob the Builder. We'd even let you dress up in a hard hat and have your picture taken. Who knows, perhaps Mr Morrissey might even do a more convincing job, playing the roll of Chancellor of the Exchequer.