News
Government announces £250m plans to create thousands of new jobs in Greater Manchester
It's part of the the Government's wider 'Plan for Change'.
Emily Sergeant -
9th December 2024 
Thousands of new jobs are set to be created at a ‘research and innovation hub’ in Greater Manchester, it has been announced.
Keir Starmer is currently visiting the Gulf, and as part of the UK Government’s intent to “drive investment” into various cities and regions nationwide, the Prime Minister has now announced plans to pursue closer ties with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia – who he says are some of the UK’s “most vital” modern-day partners.
According to the Government, this part of the ‘Plan for Change’ will increase investment, deepen defence and security ties, and boost growth and new opportunities, both here in the UK and abroad, in a bid to to “deliver change that is felt by working people”.
It’s the north of England that will “reap the immediate benefits” from the closer cooperation of the UAE and Saudi Arabia, the Government claims – particularly here in Greater Manchester.
Manchester-based Graphene Innovation Manchester (GIM) has now launched the world’s first commercial production of graphene-enriched carbon fibre, along with Saudi Arabia’s NEOM Giga-Project, which is said to be a “groundbreaking step forward” in the delivery of environmentally sustainable advanced materials.
The project is aiming to generate £250 million of investment into a research and innovation hub in Greater Manchester.
More than 1,000 skilled jobs are also expected to be created in our region.
Hydrogen buses, trucks, critical components, and other elements of hydrogen production and distribution will be created over the lifetime of the project, all while removing more than 25 million tons of transport-related CO2.
This government’s long-term missions – and ambitious but achievable milestones – will deliver change for working people. pic.twitter.com/gyc74tf0O0
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) December 5, 2024
The Prime Minister says every region and nation in the UK “should feel the impact” of the ‘Plan for Change’, but the North will benefit first.
“I am determined to ensure international diplomacy drives local results,” Starmer said.
“Whether that is discussing how we can support regeneration in the UK, or supporting business deals that create jobs, my international agenda starts at home.”
Read more:
- £30m winter support package announced to help Manchester residents with cost of living
- Andy Burnham urges new Prime Minister Keir Starmer to ‘move really quickly’ on the Northern Powerhouse
- New survey finds Keir Starmer is now as ‘unpopular’ among Brits as Nigel Farage
Greater Manchester will also be benefitting from significant Saudi investment in housing too, the Government says – with International Investment Gate injecting £41 million into the regeneration of Brunswick Mill in Stockport to create 277 flats and 24 commercial outlets, and support the Prime Minister’s milestone to build 1.5 million homes by the end of his tenure in Parliament.
Featured Image – Mylo Kaye (via Unsplash)
