Today Lord Mandelson will visit Manchester to discuss the Government’s policy on regional economic development, and see first-hand how this has delivered jobs, skills, investment and growth for the city.
During a speech at the University of Manchester Lord Mandelson will outline the significant role that regional economies will play in the future economic success of the nation. He will also focus on the importance of renewing and rebuilding Britain’s infrastructure to ensure the country remains competitive in the global market.
Lord Mandelson will also tour Nanoco, the fastest growing business in Manchester and one of the successful spin-out businesses from Manchester University’s Core Technology Facility.
The development of skills in the region is an important way that Government is supporting the people of the North West. So Lord Mandelson will officially open one of the UK’s most advanced welding schools in Salford, which will train more than 1,000 people a year.
To celebrate Britain’s world class science and manufacturing industries Lord Mandelson will also visit The Big Bang, the UK’s national fair celebrating young people’s achievements in science and engineering.
While at the fair Lord Mandelson will present a number of prizes including UK Young Scientist of the Year and UK Young Engineer of the Year.
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson will say:
“Manchester has been one of the power houses of our economy since the industrial revolution and today is no different.
”Government is acting to ensure that growth is spread across the UK so that every part of Britain shares in the recovery.
“This is a cardinal principle of the Government’s policies. Not just because it is a question of basic equity, but because the environmental and social pressures created by an economy skewed towards the South are not sustainable.
“Britain’s regional economies, like the economy as a whole, are utterly dependent on sound infrastructure. This is a vital enabler of our economic recovery and future growth – and regenerating our infrastructure as a growth plan in its own right.”
Department for Business, Innovation & Skills
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is building a dynamic and competitive UK economy by: creating the conditions for business success; promoting innovation, enterprise and science; and giving everyone the skills and opportunities to succeed. To achieve this it will foster world-class universities and promote an open global economy. BIS - Investing in our future.