TO BE PUBLISHED February 2025
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The conference is focussing on next steps for policy and regional development in Greater Manchester.
It will bring stakeholders together with policymakers to discuss priorities for the region and the mayoralty following implementation of the Trailblazer deeper devolution deal and against the backdrop of a new Government.
Areas for discussion include what will be needed if ambitions are to be achieved in driving the enablers of economic growth in Greater Manchester, implementing strategies for job creation, and the development of regionally-specific skills, including likely impact of the creation of the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate (MBacc) scheme following its initial rollout in September.
Delegates will also discuss approaches for attracting and channelling investment, looking at the way forward for supporting innovation, international trade and economic growth, with recent measures bringing greater autonomy from central government and an integrated funding settlement for the region starting in the 2025/26 financial year.
Sessions will also consider priorities for meeting housing targets set out under the Housing First scheme and the Places for Everyone Plan, and next steps toward the wider aim of eradicating homelessness in the region by 2038. We expect delegates to consider how regional and national policies intersect, including housebuilding targets, and support measures announced in the Autumn Budget such as the Warm Homes Programme, as well as funding from the National Wealth Fund.
With the Government outlining priorities for further devolution to other regions, including the recent deal to create a combined authority in Lancashire in 2025, we also expect delegates to consider how the GMCA might contribute to wider regional development with knowledge exchange drawn from experience and best practice in the 14 years since its establishment, and to discuss what is required from the upcoming English Devolution White Paper.
Further opportunities for regional collaboration, particularly looking at the Liverpool-Manchester Railway Partnership Board and enhancing cross-regional connectivity, will also be discussed. These include the future of rail in the region, the impact of the Bee Network since its formation, and approaches to transport accessibility. There will also be discussion on the future of Manchester-Midlands connectivity, in light of the cancellation of HS2 between Birmingham and Manchester.
The agenda also looks at next steps for improving population health following devolution, with a recent study finding that the region’s focus on population health is leading to improvement in areas such as health inequalities and outcomes. Delegates will discuss lessons learnt and implications for policy and best practice to support improvement nationally.
We are pleased to be able to include a keynote session with Andy Burnham, Mayor, Greater Manchester; and Chair, GMCA.
Key areas for discussion include:
- policy: priorities for the Mayoralty and regional stakeholders - next steps for the Trailblazer Deal and continued implementation
- the GM economy: opportunities for enhancing business growth in the region - key challenges for investment, innovation and international trade
- education and skills: the planned regionally-specific skills education - the MBacc - approaches to support employability and economic growth specific to the region
- key services: achieving effective delivery of public transport services - next steps for housing and social house building and the impact of central government policy plans
- resources and funding: priorities for allocation - tailoring investment to local planning priorities
- population health: building on improvements following devolution - implementing a Live Well service - addressing root causes of poor health and wellbeing
- priorities for the future: policy affecting GM going forward - the English Devolution Bill - net zero - protecting the natural environment - strengthening digital infrastructure and R&I
All delegates will be able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates.
