FSB publishes Metro Mayor manifesto

FSB Regional Chairman for Manchester, Simon Edmondson

The Federation of Small Businesses Manchester region (FSB) has published its business manifesto ahead of the region’s mayoral election later this year.

The 12 page policy document sets out the FSB’s vision for steps Greater Manchester’s new Metro Mayor should implement to help supercharge the region’s 105,000 businesses, boost jobs, and deliver sustained and achievable long term economic growth.

Key business issues covered in the manifesto range from transport and infrastructure projects, to roads, education and skills, business rates and digital infrastructure, among others. There’s also a section devoted to the Northern Powerhouse, which details how the Metro Mayor should help shape that plan as it evolves in relation to Greater Manchester.

For each issue the FSB manifesto identifies, the document makes practical suggestions for how each might be addressed by the new mayor, who will take office on May 5.

FSB Regional Chairman for Manchester, Simon Edmondson, said: “Between now and May the devolution debate is going to really ramp up, and we want to make sure business is at the top of the agenda.

“The region’s success post devolution will largely be based on having a strong, resilient and healthy private sector, and the new Major will have the powers to help make that happen. Our manifesto will hopefully provide some insight in to what the mayor-ship could and should do to help make Greater Manchester a more fertile and attractive region in which to trade, and make Greater Manchester the go-to centre for business in the North.”

He added: “All declared candidates now have a copy of our manifesto, and we’re looking forward to discussing with them the issues it raises, and how the contents can be put in to practice following May’s elections.”