Blueprint for the future of Greater Manchester revealed

The new Greater Manchester Strategy sets out a set of clear priorities for delivering this goal, including:

• All children to start school ready to learn
• Young people equipped for life
• Good quality housing, and an end to rough sleeping
• Greater Manchester to pioneer a positive vision for growing older

Called ‘Our People, Our Place’, the new Greater Manchester Strategy is a long term blueprint for the future of the 2.8m people who make up our region.

The plan looks at 10 priority areas which affect all Greater Manchester residents and details how life will be improved for all who live in the city-region, from being ready for school, to starting work and growing old, as well as everything else in between.

It’s been drawn up by the Mayor, all 10 councils, the NHS, transport, the police and the fire service after speaking with businesses, the voluntary and social enterprise sectors, and – most importantly of all – Greater Manchester people themselves.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said: “My vision for Greater Manchester is a region where no person or place is left behind. This strategy has been created to make sure that everybody in Greater Manchester has access to the best opportunities growing up, getting on and growing older.”

Air quality, a curriculum for life, world-class transport systems, good jobs and opportunities, a thriving economy, safe and affordable housing, high quality culture and leisure, and safe and strong communities are all planned out in detail in the strategy.

A key focus of the brand new strategy are the city-region’s children, with ambitious plans in place to make sure every child starts school ready to learn, improve parent support services and prioritise good air quality around schools and pre-schools.

The strategy has been designed to ensure everyone in Greater Manchester has opportunities to progress and get on, with a particular focus given to the ongoing work to eradicate rough sleeping and tackle the causes of homelessness.

Andy added: “It’s an ambitious plan but it is one that, with the help of everyone across Greater Manchester, we are determined to achieve. Through devolution, we have the best chance we will ever get to do things differently and write our own future. It is time to grab it with both hands. The people of Greater Manchester are our best asset and I want to involve them in new ways to make this strategy a reality. Greater Manchester is already the best place in the UK to live – we want to make it one of the best places in the world.”

Mike Blackburn, Chair of Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership said: “The Greater Manchester Strategy is a vital opportunity to formalise the approach through which the region aims to safeguard its continued progress and make us a globally competitive place to live and work.

“Thanks to achievements made under the previous two strategies, Greater Manchester’s development is continuing well, delivering strong economic growth and increased productivity. However as we look ahead there is still more to be done, such as addressing the skills gap, improving transport infrastructure, and creating more housing for those of us in need. The Greater Manchester Strategy gives us the chance to address these priorities and look to how we can work together to achieve a better future for the region.” 

Patsy Hodson, Chair of the Board of Greater Manchester Centre for Voluntary Organisation, said: “We share the vision of the Greater Manchester Strategy, with its emphasis on the welfare and ambitions of the people of the city region and its commitment to developing inclusive economic growth.

“It aligns with our own vision of economic, social and political inclusion for all supported by a strong voluntary, community and social enterprise sector led by local people.

“The strategy is ambitious and challenging, but I believe Greater Manchester can and will deliver on it if we all continue to work together.”

The 10 priority areas in the strategy are:

• Children starting school ready to learn
• Young people equipped for life
• Good jobs, with opportunities for people to progress and develop
• A thriving and productive economy in all parts of Greater Manchester
• World-class connectivity that keeps Greater Manchester moving
• Safe, decent and affordable housing
• A green city-region and a high quality culture and leisure offer for all
• Safer and stronger communities
• Healthy lives, with quality care available for those who need it
• An age-friendly Greater Manchester

Find out more at here