Jonathan Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, visited Greater Manchester Chamber last Friday to be briefed on plans for the new Liverpool-Manchester Railway (LMR).
The visit came in the same week that a letter of support for the LMR was sent to the Prime Minister and Chancellor, signed by the Chamber’s Presidential Team, urging them to ensure the scheme is included in the upcoming Spending Review and the new 10-year Infrastructure Strategy - read more here.
The Secretary of State met Chamber President Emma Holt, former President Wayne Jones OBE, and Chris Fletcher, the Chamber’s Policy Director.
Chris Fletcher said: “The meeting was arranged as a follow-up to help brief the Business Secretary on the plans for the new Liverpool-Manchester Railway (LMR) ahead of a critical decision about its future progress in the government’s Spending Review. As a vital element that will help deliver the government’s growth mission LMR is much more than just a new rail line and will have a huge positive impact on businesses across the North West and further afield.
“We also discussed the current issues impacting on businesses in GM including the ongoing state of play with US tariffs, overall business performance and the government’s proposals to tackle skills issues following the recent announcement on new apprenticeships and how business can play a part in helping deliver these.”
During the visit, Mr Reynolds was presented with a copy of the latest LMR report, which outlines the benefits the new rail link would bring – you can read the report here.
Pictured (left to right): Emma Holt, Jonathan Reynolds MP, Wayne Jones OBE and Chris Fletcher.