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PM gives personal support to east Manchester jobs

16/06/2008

The prime minister has said he is committed to creating jobs in east Manchester following his decision not to award a supercasino license to the city.

At a taskforce meeting chaired by local government secretary and Salford MP Hazel Blears, Gordon Brown gave his personal assurance that hundreds of jobs would be created.

The meeting was attended by more than half a dozen cabinet ministers, as well as representatives from Manchester city council and Northwest Regional Development Agency.

City council leader Sir Richard Leese, said the talks were an alternative to legal action, a route which he had been prepared to go down to challenge the supercasino decision.

"We are convinced that there is more to be gained for Manchester by working with government than from confronting them in the court room," he stated.

"We are very pleased to have his backing but will continue to put pressure on government to ensure the promises are delivered for the people of east Manchester."

Earlier this year, city council chiefs estimated the government's supercasino u-turn meant £250 million of lost investment for Manchester.