110,000 new jobs likely

ECONOMISTS predict Greater Manchester will gain 110,000 new jobs over the next decade.

Academics from Oxford Economics have revised their forecast following a “slightly better than expected” performance in 2014.

They say the area’s economy is currently worth £54.8 billion a year, and continues to drive the region’s wealth with a predicted three per cent growth a year.

The major drivers of this growth in Greater Manchester over the next decade are expected to be the business, financial and professional sector followed by wholesale and retail and cultural and creative industries.

The top three occupation types by growth in the next decade are expected to be professional (17,000 jobs), associate professional and technical (14,000 jobs) and management, directors and senior officials (12,000 jobs).

Public-sector jobs are expected to fall with the continuation of austerity measures.