CBI & Irwin Mitchell Arrange Hustings On March 28

Company chiefs are looking forward to hearing from mayoral candidates ahead of the forthcoming Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) election.

The CBI North West and Irwin Mitchell sponsored hustings will take place at The Midland Hotel on 28 March, offering business leaders an opportunity to hear from six candidates about their plans to accelerate economic growth across the region.

With productivity in the North West 33% lower than that in London, closing this gap should be a key priority for the new elected mayor. A recent CBI report, Unlocking Regional Growth, found that productivity is the main reason why living standards and economic growth differ so much across the UK.

Damian Waters, CBI North West Director, said: “This is a hugely interesting and important time for businesses, who will want know how the candidates will increase productivity and prosperity across the region.

“So they’ll be looking for an understanding of what companies need to keep investing, hiring and fuelling regional economic growth amid uncertain times.

“Transport improvements are critical to combating congestion and reducing journey times, so firms will be keen to hear how a new mayor would achieve progress on Manchester’s North West Quadrant and the Trans-Pennine tunnel.

“Our research found that educational attainment is the number one driver of productivity differences across the UK. And company leaders say access to a broader pool of skills and labour is vital for the majority of firms, small, medium and large.”

The CBI and Irwin Mitchell have developed a series of regional scorecards, which plot how each area performs across the four main drivers of productivity; education, transport, better management practices and exporting. Mayoral administrations can use this new tool to help pin-point the strengths and opportunities of each local area and make strides towards turning around performance.

The hustings will take place at the Midland Hotel in Manchester on March 28, from 5.30-7pm. 

Confirmed candidates include:

• Andy Burnham - Labour
• Sean Anstee - Conservative 
• Shneur Odze - UKIP 
• Jane Brophy - Liberal Democrats
• Stephen Morris - English Democrat   
• Will Patterson – Green Party

We will be hosting several mayoral hustings across the UK as well as in Manchester.

• Liverpool - 4 April
• Tees Valley - 23 March