Public Sector Borrowing - the fiscal deficit in Greater Manchester

Last month public sector spending was in surplus for the first time in 15 years. With total borrowing now standing at £22.8 billion year-to-date, when can we really consider to ‘balance the books’?
 
For 2017 the government is expected to remain in deficit with little prospect of balancing the books until well into the next parliament. In Greater Manchester the local authority is challenged to eliminate the fiscal deficit over the same timescale. Revenues will be increased by the rapid expansion of commercial infrastructure with greater devolution being sought in the areas of local tax and spending plans. 
 
Can we really expect Greater Manchester to balance the books anytime soon? Join me on the 13th October. 
 
The Economics of Greater Manchester is the theme of our newsnight style Conference. We will be examining the prospects for growth in the city region, the challenge of balancing the books in the age of austerity and how Manchester can fund the ambitious plans for transport, housing and infrastructure in the years ahead.
 
We have a strong line up of presenters from the GMCA in Manchester and around the region. We will be announcing the details on the 6th September. Don't miss it! It’s a great line up of public and private sector speakers in this great conference programme. 

Held on the 13th October at the Hilton Deansgate. The conference will bring together leading experts and influencers in the world of economics for a day of insight, analysis and debate in this fast-paced news style event.